Portraying it as the “Maha Kumbh Mela of aviation,” Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister, inaugurated the 15th edition of Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, Aero India 2025, in Bengaluru on Monday. He stressed that the five-day event would showcase India's technological progress and resilience in the face of global challenges.

While addressing the gathering, Singh pointed out that the ₹6.81 lakh crore allocation for the Ministry of Defence in the Union Budget 2025-26, including ₹1.80 lakh crore for capital acquisition, reflects the government's strong focus on defence. He also mentioned that, like the previous budget, 75% of modernisation funds have been earmarked for domestic procurement to strengthen India's defence industry further.

Singh emphasised that India is in a transition phase, seeing swift progress from a developing country to a developed one. He also stressed on the fact that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government’s carefully planned and consistently implemented strategy has led to the development of a dynamic and flourishing defence industry ecosystem.

“The defence industrial sector, which was not previously viewed as an economic driver, has now been fully integrated into the country’s economic framework. Today, it is a key engine powering India’s growth,” he conveyed.

Highlighting India's rise as a global hub for aerospace components and complex system assembly, he underscored the joint efforts of the public and private sectors in driving this progress. He pointed out that products like Astra missiles, next-generation Akash missiles, autonomous underwater vehicles, unmanned surface vessels and Pinaka-guided rockets are now being produced domestically, showcasing India's advancements in cutting-edge defence technology.

He also emphasised the increasing role of the private sector in this transformation, citing the joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus in Gujarat for manufacturing C-295 transport aircraft as a key example. He noted that private industries have led defence production in many developed nations. He asserted that it is now time for India's private sector to take on a similarly significant role in defence manufacturing.

Singh further remarked that while international defence partnerships often remain limited to buyer-seller transactions, India is focused on deepening these relationships into industrial collaborations. Referring to successful co-development and co-production initiatives with partner nations, he stressed that security, stability and peace cannot be achieved in isolation but must be built through collective efforts beyond national boundaries. He added that the presence of foreign delegates at the event reflects a shared vision of global unity.

While speaking about India's geopolitical position, Singh stressed that in spite of global uncertainties, the country continues to acquire peace and prosperity. Singh reaffirmed that India has never acted aggressively or engaged in great power rivalries, consistently standing for stability as a core principle of its values. He stressed that collaborating with India is essential for maintaining global peace and security.

Aero India 2025 spans an area of 42,438 square meters and has drawn participation from 30 defence ministers and 43 military chiefs from various nations. Representatives from a total of 90 countries are attending the event. The exhibition will showcase 70 fighter jets, cargo planes and trainer aircraft, along with 30 helicopters performing aerial displays. Russian and American fighter jets will be among the show's main attractions.

Moreover, over 900 manufacturers worldwide will present innovations in artificial intelligence, drone technology, cybersecurity, global aerospace advancements and emerging defence technologies.

In this edition of the show, only Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) products will be prominently showcased. The event will be attended by 100 CEOs of various companies and 50 foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The discussion's primary focus will be investment, research, joint ventures, and the defence sector.

As part of the air show, seminars on ten different topics and more than 70 flying displays will be held. The event is expected to draw a crowd of over 700,000 spectators.

The United States is participating in Aero India for the 15th time, showcasing a variety of advanced aircraft. This highlights the deepening defence and aerospace partnership between India and the US. Both nations are committed to strengthening regional security, stability, economic growth, and strategic investment ties.

More than 24 American exhibitors will collaborate with their Indian counterparts at Aero India 2025, seeking new business opportunities and presenting cutting-edge solutions in aviation and defence. These companies will showcase unmanned aerial systems (UAS), fighter jets, advanced avionics and defence electronics advancements.

The 15th edition of Aero India takes place from February 10 to 14. The initial three days, from February 10 to 12, are reserved for business interactions, while February 13 and 14 are open to the public to experience the event.