Aero India 2025 Takes Flight: Raksha Mantri Inaugurates Asia’s Biggest Aerospace & Defence Exhibition in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, February 10, 2025 – The 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition, commenced today at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the five-day event, highlighting India’s growing role in global defence collaboration and technological advancements.

Addressing a gathering of government officials, industry leaders, Air Force officers, scientists, defence experts, start-ups, and academia, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that Aero India 2025 will serve as a platform to strengthen international relations amidst evolving global uncertainties. “There is no Indian security or Indian peace in isolation; security, stability, and peace are shared constructs that transcend national borders,” he said.

India’s Defence Sector: A Growth Engine

The Raksha Mantri underlined the role of the defence sector in powering India’s economic growth. He pointed to the record allocation of ₹6.81 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2025-26 for the Ministry of Defence, including ₹1.80 lakh crore for capital acquisition, as a testament to the government’s commitment to modernizing and expanding the sector. Like the previous year, 75% of the modernization budget has been earmarked for domestic procurement, reinforcing India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the increasing role of private players in India’s defence industry, citing the Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus collaboration for C-295 aircraft production in Gujarat as an example of successful industrial cooperation. He reiterated the government’s goal of surpassing the ₹1.27 lakh crore defence production and ₹21,000 crore defence exports achieved last year, aiming for ₹1.60 lakh crore in defence production and ₹30,000 crore in exports by 2025-26.

Showcasing India’s Defence Prowess

Aero India 2025 features a series of high-profile events, including the Defence Ministers’ Conclave, CEOs Roundtable, and exhibitions of cutting-edge aerospace technology. The event will also showcase India’s indigenous advancements, such as the Astra Missile, New Generation Akash Missile, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, and Pinaka Guided Rocket.

As India moves towards becoming a developed nation, Shri Rajnath Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to defence reforms, with 2025 declared as the ‘Year of Reforms’ for the Ministry of Defence. “This is not just a slogan but a commitment towards transformation, involving all stakeholders,” he stated.

Global Participation and Future Vision

Aero India 2025 is hosting defence ministers, senior officials, and representatives from global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), emphasizing international collaboration in defence manufacturing and security. The event aligns with India’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision and aims to accelerate indigenization in defence technology.

February 10-12 has been designated as business days, while February 13-14 will be open to the public, featuring aerial displays and exhibitions from leading aerospace companies. Notable dignitaries present at the inauguration included Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shri DK Shiva Kumar, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and other senior defence and government officials.

As Aero India 2025 takes flight, it stands as a symbol of India’s rising influence in the global aerospace and defence landscape, furthering partnerships and technological strides towards a secure and prosperous future.