Bengaluru. Aero India is India’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition, where global aero vendors and the Indian Air Force (IAF) apart from conducting technology and machines-related business, thrill the spectators with back-to-back aerobatic flying displays.
The first Aero India show was held at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru in 1996. Since 1996, Yelahanka has successfully hosted every edition of the gala event. This event is the largest international air show and aviation expo in Asia.
The event aims to showcase as many technologies as possible produced in the military and aviation fields.
Highlights of Aero India 2023
The achievements of Aero India 2023, a globally popular event, are a testament to its international appeal. Delegates from 27 countries participated, and more than seven Lakh visitors attended the event.
The event was a melting pot of 809 Exhibitors, businesses, investors, start-ups, and MSMEs, fostering global partnerships. Investors signed more than 250 MoUs/partnerships worth more than Rs 75,000 Crore, a clear indication of the event’s global reach.
Visitors were treated to a display of India’s airpower when 53 Aircrafts conducted a flying display, further enhancing the event’s international flavour.
Objectives
Aero India has evolved into a commercial opportunity that allows Indian enterprises in the defence sector to showcase their potential, find partners among foreign defence companies, and enhance their technological competence.
This potential for collaboration is one of the reasons why Aero India has become extremely important. A relationship of this kind could lead to a significant increase in domestic production of defence goods, reducing India’s reliance on products sourced from other countries and fostering a sense of optimism about India’s future in defence.
Aero India can facilitate the introduction of modern military equipment, such as stealth aircraft, hypersonic systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and missiles, which are examples of emerging technologies. It is expected that India’s military becomes more potent as a result of this technological advantage.
The expo also provides a platform for members of the armed forces to be acquainted with new and upgraded equipment, as well as training and operational measures. This will help in enhanced op-preparedness, and make us more effective in carrying out missions against adversaries.
Implementing this plan and the opportunities presented by Aero India 2025 should allow India to improve its readiness to deal with potential threats posed by adversaries from both the East and the West.
The achievements of Aero India 2023, a globally popular event, are a testament to its international appeal. Delegates from 27 countries participated, and more than seven Lakh visitors attended the event
Attractions of Aero India 2025
Aero India 2025 has turned into the ultimate aviation and aerospace destination. Numerous distinctive airborne activities, such as extended flights, aerial displays, and synchronised air group formations, will take place at the event.
The five-day exhibition will display the highlights of aerospace and military sector trade shows and air force demonstrations with an exclusive aerial show for attendees. Such an unusual chance provides privileged access to observe exclusive strategic partnerships with progress in local manufacturing and understand current aerospace innovations.
The fifth-generation fighter jets of Russia, USA and Sweden will display their strength before the crowds at the Yelahanka Air Force station. Russia’s Su-57 fighter is expected to make its India debut at Aero India, which comes at a point when India is developing its fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Previously in 2007, India had agreed with Russia to work on the development of a fifth-generation combat aircraft based on the Su-57, but pulled out of the programme in 2018, due to the Aatmanirbharta mission. The fighter later debuted at Airshow China in Zhuhai last November before becoming operational with the Russian Air Force.
The fifth-generation fighter jets of Russia, USA and Sweden will display their strength before the crowds at the Yelahanka Air Force station. Russia’s Su-57 fighter is expected to make its India debut at Aero India, which comes at a point when India is developing its fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
Russian Su-57 fighter, as well as the US’s F-35 fighter, landed in Bangalore for their participation in Aero India. The Russian fifth-gen fighter, the twin-engine Su-57, will perform some aerial manoeuvres over the Air Force station, while the two single-engine F-35s will probably be on static display and will not be demonstrating any aerial manoeuvres. Additionally, the Swedish defence company SAAB will feature the Gripen-E fighter jet at the event.
The visitors would be mesmerised by breathtaking aerobatic displays of Indian advanced fighter jets, helicopters and commercial aircraft in action. The flying demonstrations are a key feature, demonstrating recent technological achievements in airborne technologies.
Operations on Ground
Participating in Aero India 2025 offers a unique opportunity to interact with agencies and professionals in defence and aerospace, engaging with key stakeholders to establish meaningful contacts and partnerships.
This exclusive access to industry leaders and decision-makers should make you feel privileged and excited about the potential of this event.
The aerospace and defence technology presented at the event includes the latest cutting-edge technology. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and National Aerospace Technologies (NAL) are major participants, and global defence giants are also involved.
A primary goal for Aero India 2025 is to expedite the modernisation of the IAF. The IAF necessitates advanced fighter aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to sustain its operational superiority
Aero India 2025 is an excellent platform for industry professionals to explore new business avenues, flag contracts, and attend B2B and B2G meetings, allowing one to achieve greater exposure and opportunities.
The DRDO will showcase a wide assortment of self-developed products and technologies, each demonstrating their individual features and operational capabilities. The India Pavilion will present its key products and hold multiple seminars, flight exhibitions, and product exhibits.
All the exhibition items at this event will consist of products within seven categories: Aeronautical Systems, Missiles, Armaments, Electronics, Micro Electronic Devices and Computational Systems, Soldier Support Technologies, Life Sciences, Naval Science, and Material Science.
The state-of-the-art products from BEL will be displayed in 14 categories, including defence communication systems, avionics technology, electronic warfare applications and AI-based solutions. Two prominent exhibits at this exhibition include Weapon Systems along with detection systems.
Modernising the country’s air combat fleet is a real challenge for India; the IAF has as many as 31 squadrons in operation, which is far less than the authorised strength of 42. This gap is further widening as there is an ageing fleet and delays in key indigenous projects like the AMCA and the Light Combat Aircraft Mk-2
The products of HAL under the ‘Innovate’ theme will be prominently showcased at this event. India Pavilion will draw attention of the visitors with its full-scale Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior and a 1:1 representation of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The aerospace division of HAL showcases three key contributions: Cryogenic Engine CE-20 alongside GSLV Mk III and Chandrayaan-3 models.
Take Aways
A primary goal for Aero India 2025 is to expedite the modernisation of the IAF. The IAF necessitates advanced fighter aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to sustain its operational superiority.
The exhibition will feature numerous aircraft companies alongside component manufacturers, showcasing products while offering valuable education and networking opportunities.
However, modernising the country’s air combat fleet is a real challenge for India; the IAF has as many as 31 squadrons in operation, which is far less than the authorised strength of 42, as noted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence.
This gap is further widening as there is an ageing fleet and delays in key indigenous projects like the AMCA and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-2. Events like Aero India play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by providing a platform for industry professionals to explore new business avenues, flag contracts, and attend B2B and B2G meetings, thereby facilitating the introduction of modern military equipment and fostering strategic partnerships.
India does not have the AMCA ready to be inducted into service, which is still more than a decade away. Su-57, or F-35, or Gripen E could enable India to procure a fifth-generation fighter sooner than later, which could become a critical piece of this puzzle. With Russia offering a potential joint manufacturing package to India for the Su-57, puts this particular jet at an advantage with the competition
The AMCA project of DRDO was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March 2024. The IAF will depend on older, less stealthy platforms until the next decade when the AMCA, India’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter is expected to enter service, as it is not considered ready, yet. The LCA Mk-2 envisaged as a replacement for the Mirage 2000 and MiG 29 squadrons, is several years away from induction.
India does not have the AMCA ready to be inducted into service, which is still more than a decade away. Su-57, or F-35, or Gripen E could enable India to procure a fifth-generation fighter sooner than later, which could become a critical piece of this puzzle.
Russia offering a potential joint manufacturing package to India for the Su-57 puts this particular jet at an advantage. The event provides an opportunity to evaluate these fighters for operational requirements.
All in all, Aero India 2025 will offer India a rare opportunity to achieve several critical strategic goals in enhancing its operational preparedness against its eastern and western adversaries.
India can strengthen its global position and safeguard national security by strengthening partnerships, improving indigenous manufacturing, showcasing military capabilities, addressing regional security challenges, and enhancing innovation in defence technology.
-The writer is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Air Power Studies. Prior to this he was Group Captain in the IAF. He served the IAF for more than three decades in various capacities. He was Director Air Staff Inspections and retired as Director, Joint Control and Analysis Centre. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
