Airbus secured more aircraft orders at Paris Air Show 2025 (PAS-25), raising its total to $21 billion at PAS-25, while rival Boeing opted not to announce new sales following last week’s Air India 787 crash.
At PAS-25, Airbus firmed up an order for 10 long-haul jets from Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines in a boost for the European plane maker after one of its biggest customers, AirAsia, dashed expectations of another grand finale matching its earlier expansion.
Airbus has won a total of 148 firm orders worth $14.2 billion including six previous ones disclosed publicly for the time, plus 102 provisional orders worth $6.7 billion.
However, what is of interest is a spectrum of Indian firms from Reliance Aerostructure to Wipro, Bharat Forge and state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcasing India’s growing prowess in defence, aeronautics, and civil aviation sectors at PAS-25.
Engineering and manufacturing solutions provider Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN) on Wednesday (June 18) said it will acquire a majority stake in French aircraft parts manufacturer Lauak Group. Lauak Group is a 50-year-old family-owned company supplying aircraft parts to major global aerospace companies.
“This planned acquisition represents a significant moment in the continued growth of Wipro Aerospace. Lauak’s rich legacy in Aerospace and specialised expertise aligns with our long-term vision of building a fully integrated, global aerospace solutions platform. Together, we would be positioned to deliver greater value, agility, and innovation to our customers worldwide,” Pratik Kumar, CEO, Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, said.
Marking a major milestone in India’s aerospace journey, Hyderabad based Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group, a leader in high-precision manufacturing, unveiled its latest defence and propulsion technologies at PAS-25. From indigenous micro turbojet engines to high-performance kamikaze drones, the company’s showcase reflected its expanding global footprint and deep commitment to India’s defence self-reliance.
Solidifying its position as a global aerospace player, Raghu Vamsi recently acquired WMT Precision LLC, a 40-year-old aerospace manufacturing company based in Syracuse, USA, renowned for producing fuel nozzles for Collins, Parker, and Honeywell. This acquisition enhances Raghu Vamsi’s capabilities in critical aero engine components and provides a strong foothold in the North American market.
Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN) announced that it will acquire a majority stake in French aircraft parts manufacturer Lauak Group. Lauak Group is a 50-year-old family-owned company supplying aircraft parts to major global aerospace companies
At the show, Raghu Vamsi unveiled a fully indigenous 40 KGF micro turbojet engine, developed for UAVs and cruise missiles – a major breakthrough for India’s propulsion capabilities.
“This engine represents a historic leap for Indian aerospace propulsion. It’s the culmination of years of R&D, manufacturing precision, and a bold vision for self-reliant defence technologies,” said Vamsi Vikas, Managing Director, Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group.
Further demonstrating its innovation capabilities, the company also showcased the Astra 100, a jet-powered fixed-wing kamikaze UAV developed under its deep-tech brand ARROBOT. With a range of 200 km and speeds of up to 450 km/h, the UAV completed successful test trials earlier this year. Powered entirely by indigenous systems–including flight control, propulsion, and telemetry–the Astra 100 sets a new benchmark for autonomous combat UAVs in India.
In yet another news, Bharat Forge, has joined hands with French aerospace company Turgis Gaillard to offer AAROK, a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), to meet India’s defence requirements.
The announcement was made during the PAS-25, where both companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to present AAROK as a competitive and strategic option for the Indian Ministry of Defence.
AAROK is designed for high-altitude, long-duration missions. It can fly for over 24 hours and is capable of conducting long-range surveillance. Equipped with electromagnetic sensors and radar, the UAV can observe enemy positions from a safe distance, staying out of threat zones. AAROK is permanently connected to command-and-control systems, sharing real-time tactical data to assist military decision-making.
Apart from surveillance, AAROK can carry more than 1.5 tonnes of weapons. It can strike targets far behind enemy lines, disrupt defences, and neutralise surface-to-air missile systems. This makes it a powerful tool for multi-domain operations. AAROK will help enforce India’s sovereignty by detecting incursions over territorial waters and monitoring activities along the borders
Bharat Forge plans to set up a local production line for AAROK in India. This move is aimed at meeting the Indian armed forces’ growing demand through indigenous manufacturing.
At PAS-25, the DRDO is showcasing India’s aerospace innovation, featuring next-gen UAVs, advanced avionics, and indigenous defence systems, strongly projecting the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ spirit on a global stage, according to the defence ministry.
Hyderabad based Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group, a leader in high-precision manufacturing, unveiled its latest defence and propulsion technologies at PAS. From indigenous micro turbojet engines to high-performance kamikaze drones, the company’s showcase reflected its expanding global footprint and deep commitment to India’s defence self-reliance
“At #ParisAirShow2025, DRDO showcases India’s aerospace innovation — featuring next-gen UAVs, advanced avionics, and indigenous defence systems. A powerful display of self-reliance, collaboration, and strategic capability on the global stage. #MakeInIndia #AtmanirbharBharat @IndiaembFrance,” the DRDO posted on X.
The post was accompanied with a video that provides glimpses into the array of equipment and systems that DRDO will exhibit at the show. In the video, DRDO showcased its Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missiles (AAM), ‘Astra’, designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft.
As per DRDO, the missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvring supersonic aircraft with all-weather day and night capability. The missile is being developed in multiple variants to meet specific requirements. The ASTRA Mk-I Weapon System integrated with SU-30 Mk-I aircraft is also being inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The video also mentioned the Light Combat Aircraft (LAC) Air Force Mark 2, popularly known as the Tejas Mk-2, an indigenous fighter jet manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). DRDO will also feature the Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), ‘Swathi’, primarily designed to locate hostile guns, mortars and rockets causing interference with military operations, developed along with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
The Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C) will also be featured by DRDO which is a force multiplier system of systems for detecting and tracking enemy/hostile aircraft and UAVs. HELINA (Helicopter-based NAG), a third-generation fire-and-forget class anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system mounted on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), will also be exhibited by the DRDO at the show.
The video also highlighted the upgrades to the Dornier aircraft called SHYEN (Payloads for Dornier Mid-Life Upgrade), improving the Dornier’s operational effectiveness with advanced payloads. The event, will serve as a global platform for DRDO to demonstrate its advancements and foster international collaboration.
In another development, Brazilian aerospace and defence company Embraer re-announced its plans to established an Indian subsidiary based at the AeroCity hub in New Delhi at PAS-25, yet again. According to Embraer, this strategic move underscores its long-term vision for growth and potential collaboration with India’s aerospace sector, including services and support as well as defence, commercial aviation, business aviation, and urban air mobility.
Brazilian aerospace and defence company Embraer reannounced its plans to established an Indian subsidiary based at the AeroCity hub in New Delhi at PAS, yet again. According to Embraer, this strategic move underscores its long-term vision for growth and potential collaboration with India’s aerospace sector, including services and support as well as defence, commercial aviation, business aviation, and urban air mobility
Embraer expects to expand its team across the country, building capacity to capitalise on opportunities there. This includes establishing teams across corporate functions and specialized cells focused on procurement, supply chain, and engineering.
“India is a key market for Embraer, and this expansion demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the country,” said Embraer president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto. “We are excited to deepen our collaboration with the Indian aerospace and defence industry, leveraging our expertise and technology to contribute to the nation’s growth and ‘Make in India’ campaign. We see significant opportunities.”
In yet another announcement at PAS-25, Reliance Infrastructure announced on June 18 that it will partner with France’s Dassault Aviation to make Falcon 2000 jets in India, as India aims to increase sourcing of locally-made defence equipment.
Dassault said it aims to deliver the first made-in-India jets by 2028 for corporate and military use, and will cater to rising demand in both Indian and international markets.
Dassault will make Falcon 2000 jets outside France for the first time, the statement said, as it partners with tycoon Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Aerostructure to set up the final assembly line in the western Indian city of Nagpur.
Reliance Infrastructure announced on June 18 that it will partner with France’s Dassault Aviation to make Falcon 2000 jets in India, as India aims to increase sourcing of locally-made defence equipment
Also, Indian technology company AXISCADE announced strategic agreement with Spanish defence and aerospace giant-Indra, to manufacture advanced aerospace and defence systems in India at PAS-25.
Indra, known for its cutting-edge defence and strategic systems, is partnering with AXISCADES to strengthen its supply chain and local production capabilities in India. The collaboration will see several Indra products manufactured in India, including antennas for Tactical Air Navigation Systems (TACAN), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), and advanced countermeasure systems that protect aircraft from missile threats like MANPADS.
The solutions will be produced through AXISCADES’ design, development, and supply chain centre, which provides end-to-end services from conceptualisation to production.
The two companies are also exploring opportunities for joint development of new technologies and products, tailored both for the Indian market and global customers. They may adapt existing Indra systems or build entirely new ones based on market needs.
Meanwhile, many visitors also flocked to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) exhibition booth to check out and take photos with the Chinese-made J-10CE model on display. On the Chinese attractions led by the J-10CE at the Paris Air Show, Zhu Qian, deputy head of the AVIC delegation at the event, said that the participation of aircraft like the J-10CE at the show exemplifies the Chinese aviation industry’s commitment to openness and win-win cooperation in global aviation supply chain development.
Chinese attractions at PAS were led by the J-10CE. Zhu Qian, deputy head of the Chinese delegation at the event, said that the participation of aircraft like the J-10CE at the show exemplifies the Chinese aviation industry’s commitment to openness and win-win cooperation in global aviation supply chain development
The J-10CE was also displayed as a scale model, together with PL-15E and PL-10E missile exhibits to showcase “Chinese capabilities.”
Zhu further said that he believes that the J-10 is an outstanding aircraft. The J-10CE, an export variant of the J-10, is an advanced 4.5-generation multirole fighter designed by China for all-weather operations with a single-engine, single-seat configuration. It boasts exceptional manoeuvrability, state-of-the-art avionics, a cutting-edge fire-control radar system, and integrated weaponry. The J-10CE is capable of autonomous closed-loop beyond-visual-range engagements while excelling in electronic warfare and coordinated combat in a system, according to Zhu.
In addition to the J-10CE, AVIC has also showcased its flagship “20 Series” equipment at this year’s Paris Air Show, including star products such as the J-35A and J-20 fighters. Notably, this marks the J-35A’s international debut.
