Aero India over the years has emerged as a prominent event in India’s defence ecosystem, showcasing the nation’s growing stature as both a significant market and an emerging producer of defence technology.
The unprecedented participation of military leaders from diverse nations, coupled with engagements with global defence industry giants, underscores India’s pivotal role in shaping international defence partnerships.
The exhibition’s success not only highlights India’s commitment to achieving Aatmanirbharta or self-reliance in defence manufacturing but also positions the country as a reliable partner for joint development and production of advanced military systems, marking a significant step toward realising the vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World.’
Moshe Levy, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group (MAG) of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (IAI), told Raksha Anirveda that the success of Aero India shows how India is growing and how it has been able to showcase its success story, earlier it was more foreign companies at the show, but this year more Indian companies, related to every aspect of military and civil aviation could be seen at the show. Their presence marks the success of India’s indigenisation programme, using its vast talent bank, so I feel that this year’s Aero India is much more balanced in terms of companies present here.
Moshe’s sentiments were echoed by Vice Admiral Paras Nath (Retd), Group President & CEO, The Crown Group. Admiral Nath told Raksha Anirveda that over the years Aero India has witnessed big growth. The way the number of stalls has increased, the footfalls have increased, the presence of a large number of CEOs, all confirm to the popularity and stature of the show.
However, Admiral Nath had a word of advice for the organisers of the show, he said that infrastructure and management for Aero India needs tremendous improvements in terms of traffic management by the local police department. Better layout of stalls, complimented with guides would be better, besides streamlining the security procedures and providing efficient internet and Wi-Fi services, which were lacking at the show this time. Admiral Nath felt that Aero India should have a permanent exhibition-cum-conference centre built outside the city, so that the common man does not suffer from traffic snarls and other security arrangements. He felt particularly impressed by the presence of a large number of SMEs, MSMEs and tech start-ups, which he described as refreshening but also opined that the government needs to make new and fast applicable guidelines for their growth and sustainability.
COO of a new tech start-up, ENORD – a drone manufacturer, Zain Saeed said the presence of a large number of big companies along with tech startups is a good sign, as Aero India is the right place for MSMEs, SMEs and tech start-ups to be here as apart from introducing their own products they get a chance to interact with relevant people from the industry, so at a little cost it offers them more exposure and interaction opportunities.
Though most exhibitors at the show were very enthusiastic at participating at the show and the huge opportunities which the show offered them, yet many and particularly the media people felt that the layout of the exhibition should have been better organised. Exhibition Halls were not in alphabetical order, halls had small signages only near the main gate, though there was enough space at the top of every hall to exhibit their number boldly so as to make it easier to identify them. The overall management seemed poor with layout directions marked by a marker pen manually at some places.
Captain Nikunj Prashar, Founder and CMD, Sagar Defence, was of the view that Aero India offers you an opportunity to understand better how the defence ecosystem operates and its achievements during the last two years besides offering you an insight into the specialised niche in which you are offering your products. In addition, you are able to meet with your competition, assess them and also identify new opportunities. Capt Prashar was all praise for the support from the government to SMES and tech start-ups, which he felt was phenomenal.
Lt Commander D Rajendrakumar (Retd), of Tonbo Imaging, a veteran soldier felt that Aero India is a wonderful platform for the defence aviation sector. All the big players including all the DPSUs, private sector’s leading players are present here. In sum, Aero India offered you an opportunity to interact and access so many players, in addition to potential customers from the field at one place, which logistically would be impossible for one person if he indeed wanted them to meet all in one year.
Apart from collaborations and deals to buy and sell military aviation products, Aero India also attracts the public as a bonus, which the defence sector thinks is a welcome trend for raising awareness about military aviation. However, increasing footfalls at Aero India, apart from the excruciating traffic bottlenecks due to poor traffic management, also lead to poorer event management. Except for those excited by business and strategic prospects, Aero India has become a mundane affair with the same patterns, except when – like this time – a Su-57 or a F-35 makes an entry to salvage Aero India’s reputation.
The scope to upscale Aero India to the levels of airshows in Paris or Singapore by improving facilities at Yelahanka is restricted. The base, in the vicinity of residences, railway tracks, and a national highway, belongs to the Indian Air Force and is used to train transport aircraft pilots and navigators, but it is not built to host such a gigantic exhibition, which Aero India has emerged in 2025, with more than 900+ exhibitors and 7 lakh+ visitors.
In fact, it is time to look for another location to hold the ever-expanding event. The defence ministry needs to scout for and develop a site exclusively for Aero India outside Bengaluru without compromising the advantage of proximity to the city and its different air units and operations based there.
However, Aero India 2025 would be remembered for two events, first the joint sorties made by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi. In this event which could be marked as a historic one, the two chiefs conducted a joint sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, highlighting India’s advancing defence capabilities and military modernisation.
The second event demonstrated the displeasure of the Air Chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh when after the sortie, he remarked to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) top brass in full public glare, “Maza nahin aya”, referring to the poor performance of the HAL in not delivering the Tejas in required number for the IAF, which currently is operating 31 squadrons, much less than its full squadron strength of 42. The air chief had made his displeasure earlier also and perhaps the defence planners in this regard should hear the air chief and try to opt out for a new fighter like the Gripen for the air force in the short term, while India is able to finally produce its own AMCA, or by when it starts getting deliveries of Su-57 or F-35, which ever these planners ultimately choose.
-The writer is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on international and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily carry the views of Raksha Anirveda
