Aero India 2025, scheduled from February 10 to 14 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru
Themed “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,” the exhibition aims to foster innovation, and collaboration, and showcase India’s growing capabilities in these industries.
Key Highlights:
- Indigenous Innovations: A prominent feature will be the full-scale model of the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with NewSpace Research and Technologies. This platform exemplifies India’s strides in autonomous defense technology.
- International Participation: The event is expected to attract over 700 exhibitors, including major international aerospace and defense companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Dassault Aviation, and Saab. This global participation underscores Aero India’s significance as a premier platform for industry leaders to connect and shape the future of aerospace.
- Aerial Displays: Attendees can anticipate thrilling aerobatic performances by both domestic and international teams, featuring cutting-edge fighter jets, helicopters, and drones. Notably, the Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter will make its flying debut at the event, and the U.S. Air Force will showcase F-16 and F-35 aircraft on static display.
Strategic Context:
Aero India 2025 occurs amid significant developments in India’s defense and aerospace sectors. The Indian government is increasingly engaging the private sector to manufacture rockets and satellites, aiming to enhance strategic capabilities and compete globally. Companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos have already achieved milestones in suborbital tests, reflecting the sector’s growth.
However, challenges persist. Despite a proposed defense budget of 6.81 trillion rupees ($78.70 billion) for the fiscal year 2025-26, a substantial portion is allocated to manpower costs, leaving limited funds for modernization and procurement of new weapons. Analysts suggest that the current capital outlay may be insufficient for India’s modernization efforts, particularly in countering regional threats.
In the commercial aviation sector, Boeing forecasts that airlines in India and South Asia will acquire over 2,800 commercial aircraft in the next two decades, driven by a rising middle class and strong economic growth. This anticipated expansion underscores the region’s burgeoning aviation market.
Aero India 2025 serves as a critical platform for India to showcase its advancements, attract international collaboration, and address the challenges in its aerospace and defense industries. The event is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of India’s aerospace ambitions.
Who Should Exhibit at Aero India 2025?
- Defence Manufacturers: Companies or organizations involved in designing, developing, and producing defence-related equipment, weapons, and technology for military use.
- Defence Investors: Entities, including financial institutions and private investors, that provide funding for defence-related projects, innovations, and infrastructure development.
- Innovators: Individuals or companies developing cutting-edge technologies, solutions, and strategies to address challenges in the defence and aerospace sectors.
- Indian Defence Industries: Comprises Indian-based companies that produce and supply defence equipment and services to the Indian armed forces and export to other nations.
- MSMEs / Startups: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises or startups that are involved in the development of innovative defence products, services, or technologies. They play a significant role in the supply chain for larger defence contractors.
- OEMs / Foreign Investors: Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are companies that manufacture and supply components or systems to be used in larger defence systems. Foreign investors are international companies or financial entities investing in India’s defence.
- Fabricators: Companies or workshops that specialize in the manufacture and assembly of components or systems for defence and aerospace applications, such as metal working, electronics,
- Joint Ventures: Collaborations between two or more entities, often between Indian and foreign companies, to jointly develop and manufacture defence technologies or products.
- Academia: Educational institutions and research centers that contribute to the advancement of defence technologies through research, innovation, and talent development. Academia often collaborates with defence industries and R&D organizations.
- Military Suppliers: Companies that provide essential supplies and services to the military, ranging from weapons, ammunition, and vehicles to logistics support and maintenance services.
- Space Industry Suppliers: Organizations that provide specialized products and services related to space technology, such as satellite components, launch systems, and space exploration technologies that have crossover applications in defence.
- R&D Organizations: Research and Development organizations focused on creating advanced technologies and innovations for the defence and aerospace sectors, ensuring the development of state-of-the-art equipment for military use.
Key Benefits of Exhibiting:
- Brand awareness: Showcase your innovative products and services to government and private sector stakeholders, including military, air force, and space agencies.
- Partnership opportunities: Engage with industry experts, manufacturers, and suppliers. The event’s intimate scale fosters meaningful interactions and strengthens industry relationships.
- Lead acquisition: Secure business prospects through face-to-face meetings with potential customers and partners from both government and private sectors. Identify new growth avenues that larger events may overlook.
- Promotion: Take advantage of extensive media coverage across premier industry publications, websites, and social media, amplifying your brand’s reach.
- Market Analysis: Stay informed on the latest trends and advancements in aerospace. Aero India attracts influential stakeholders, offering valuable insights to help navigate the industry’s evolving landscape.
Exhibition Spaces:
Explore a variety of custom exhibition spaces designed to showcase your products and impress your clients, including:
- Exhibition Halls: Aero India 2025’s expansive exhibition halls offer a dynamic environment for exhibitors to present cutting-edge aerospace technologies and innovations to a global audience. These indoor spaces facilitate product showcases, networking, and business engagements under one roof.
- Business Chalets: The exclusive business chalets at Aero India 2025 provide a premium setting for high-level meetings and client hospitality, offering a private space to build partnerships while enjoying uninterrupted views of the runway and static displays.
- Outdoor Surfaces: Outdoor surfaces at Aero India 2025 are ideal for exhibiting large-scale aerospace equipment and vehicles, providing ample space for dynamic displays and demonstrations that are too big for indoor halls.
- Aircraft on Static Display: The static aircraft displays at Aero India 2025 allow exhibitors to showcase their latest aircraft and aviation technologies up close, offering attendees a hands-on experience with cutting-edge aviation models.
Highlights from Aero India 2023:
- Reflect on the successes of Aero India 2023 and join us in shaping the future of aerospace at Aero India 2025!
- The 14th edition of Aero India-2023 was held from 13th–17th February at Bengaluru, Karnataka and has been the largest ever edition since its inception in 1996 with more than 100 countries, 809 exhibitors, first ever Fly past with 53 aircrafts showcasing our airpower to global attendees and a total footfall of 7+ lakh visitors over five days.
- Start-ups promotion was a focus area at Aero India-2023 with Indian Start-ups being showcased at an exclusive iDEX pavilion, India Pavilion and at the Chiefs of Air Staff Conclave. The Annual Start-up event ‘Manthan’ was also conducted. The maiden iDEX Investor Hub (iIH) was conducted with over Rs 200 crore pledged during iIH.
- A concerted effort was made towards forging B2B partnerships at the ‘Bandhan’ ceremony and more than 250 such partnerships with a total value of more than Rs 75,000 crore have been finalized. The partnerships are a step towards increasing traction for business, ToT and Joint development between the companies.
- By exhibiting at Aero India 2025, you’re positioning your company at the forefront of the aerospace industry, building vital connections, and expanding your market reach
Credit- Google