The North News
Bengaluru, February 10
India opened the 15th edition of Aero India on Monday, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stating that the event will serve as a hub for technological advancements and global partnerships in aerospace and defence. The five-day exhibition at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Karnataka aims to strengthen ties with friendly nations amid rising geopolitical uncertainties. “Aero India 2025, a confluence of critical and frontier technologies, will provide a platform to further strengthen relations among like-minded countries based on mutual respect, interest, and benefit,” Rajnath Singh said during the inauguration.
Rajnath Singh emphasized that India is transitioning from a developing nation to a global defence manufacturing hub. He credited the government’s policy initiatives for integrating the defence sector with the broader economy, stating that defence production has become a key economic driver. The government allocated a record ₹6.81 lakh crore ($82 billion) for defence in the 2025-26 budget, reserving 75% of modernization funds for domestic procurement. The exhibition is expected to attract defence ministers, industry leaders, air force officers, and technology experts from around the world. Singh highlighted India’s push for industrial collaboration beyond transactional buyer-seller relationships, citing joint ventures such as the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft project in Gujarat as an example.
He underscored India’s commitment to peace, noting that the country has never engaged in power rivalries or aggression. “For us, security, stability, and peace are shared constructs that transcend national borders,” he said, reinforcing India’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’ Aero India 2025 will feature defence showcases, air displays, and discussions on indigenization under India’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative. The government has set ambitious targets for defence production and exports, with Singh expressing confidence that India will surpass its ₹1.27 lakh crore ($15.2 billion) defence production and ₹21,000 crore ($2.5 billion) export benchmarks.
Rajnath Singh also reiterated the government’s intent to boost private sector participation in defence manufacturing, emphasizing its role in driving economic growth. He encouraged stakeholders to contribute to ongoing reforms aimed at streamlining defence procurement and production. Aero India 2025 will run until February 14, with the first three days dedicated to business engagements and the last two days open to the public.
