Aero India 2025

Aero India 2025, scheduled from February 10 to 14, 2025, at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, is set to be a landmark event, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in aerospace and defence, fostering global partnerships, and promoting indigenous innovation.

Aero India, launched in 1996, has evolved from a modest air show into a strategic platform for global aerospace collaboration. The 15th edition in 2025 is expected to highlight India's advancements in indigenous fighter aircraft, aerospace innovation, and defence self-reliance. With participation from major global aerospace firms and a focus on ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, this event will reinforce India’s position as an emerging leader in aviation and defence manufacturing.

Early Years and International Recognition (1996–2005)

• The first Aero India in 1996 aimed at attracting foreign investments and showcasing India’s aerospace capabilities.
• By the early 2000s, it gained recognition, drawing participation from global players like Russia, Israel, and the U.S.
• India focused on technology transfer and collaborations, laying the foundation for indigenous aerospace development.

Strengthening Domestic Aerospace Capabilities (2005–2015)

• This period saw increased international participation, with leading firms like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Dassault Aviation, and Airbus entering India.
• Major defence procurement deals included Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.
• India also strengthened indigenous manufacturing, with HAL’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas gaining prominence.

The Push for Self-Reliance (2015–Present)

• Under ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, India accelerated its efforts in domestic defence production.
• Aero India evolved into a showcase for India’s aerospace capabilities, attracting global investments and strategic partnerships.
• Private sector participation in defence manufacturing increased, reducing dependence on foreign imports.

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Showcasing Global Aviation: Su-57 and F-35 Fighter Jets at the Aero India Show

• Russia’s Su-57: A fifth-generation stealth fighter with advanced avionics, super maneuverability, and multi-target capabilities.
• U.S.’s F-35 Lightning II: One of the world’s most advanced stealth aircraft, with sensor fusion, electronic warfare capabilities, and network-centric warfare integration.
• Their participation underscores India’s strategic defence partnerships with Russia and the U.S., offering a rare comparative assessment of these cutting-edge fighter jets.

India’s Indigenous Breakthrough: Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) in the India Pavilion

• Developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL, the AMCA is India’s first indigenously designed fifth-generation fighter.
• Features twin engines, stealth technology, advanced avionics, and internal weapons carriage for reduced radar detection.
• Its presence at Aero India highlights India’s capability in high-end aerospace manufacturing and defence self-sufficiency.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Drone Technologies

• India is making significant strides in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with DRDO and private firms developing high-end military drones.
• Aero India 2025 will feature advancements in AI-driven UAVs, drone swarm technology, and autonomous surveillance aircraft.
• These developments are crucial for India’s border security, reconnaissance missions, and modern warfare capabilities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cyber Warfare Technologies

• AI integration in aerospace and defence is a growing focus area, with India investing in autonomous navigation, predictive maintenance, and AI-assisted combat decision-making.
• Cyber warfare and electronic warfare (EW) technologies will be a major showcase, aligning with India’s efforts to strengthen digital security and cyber defence capabilities.

Next-Generation Air Defence Systems

• India has been developing advanced missile defence systems, including the S-400 Triumf, DRDO’s XRSAM, and the indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme.
• Aero India 2025 will provide insights into hypersonic missile technology and advanced radar-based early warning systems.

Role of Private Sector in Defence Manufacturing

• The government’s push for greater private sector involvement under ‘Make in India’ has led to collaborations with leading firms like Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge, and Adani Defence.
• Aero India will highlight their contributions in fighter jet components, defence electronics, and armoured vehicle production.

Promoting Start-ups and Innovation: The ‘Manthan’ Platform

• ‘Manthan’ is a dedicated innovation showcase for Indian defence start-ups.
• Under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) initiative, start-ups are developing solutions in cybersecurity, electronic warfare, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
• This aligns with India's push to integrate AI and emerging technologies into defence.

Enhancing Visitor Engagement and Global Participation at the Aero India Show

• Expected footfall: 700,000+ visitors, including defence delegations, global aerospace firms, and policymakers.
• Improvements in logistics, security, real-time monitoring, and an exclusive Aero India 2025 mobile application to enhance visitor experience.
• Features live aerial displays, interactive defence tech seminars, and static aircraft exhibitions to offer deeper insights into global aerospace trends.

Aero India 2025 is not just an exhibition but a strategic statement of India’s ambitions in the global aerospace and defence industry. By showcasing indigenous technological advancements, fostering international partnerships, and promoting innovation, the event aligns with India's goal of self-reliance in defence production. As India continues to expand its defence manufacturing ecosystem, Aero India will remain a pivotal platform in shaping the future of the country’s aerospace industry and security strategy.

Who organizes Aero India?

• The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, organizes Aero India, with the Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO) handling the event.

Which jets are in Aero India?

• Aero India features jets like the Tejas, Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, F-16, Gripen, Mirage 2000, and various drones and helicopters from global manufacturers.

Where is the best air shows?

• Some of the best air shows include: Aero India (India), Paris Air Show (France), Farnborough Airshow (UK), Dubai Airshow (UAE), MAKS Air Show (Russia) and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (USA)