The skies over Bengaluru thundered with the roar of fighter jets as Aero India 2025, India’s premier air show soared into action, showcasing cutting-edge aviation technology and global defence innovation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the biennial event, calling it a convergence of critical and frontier technologies.
He emphasised that Aero India serves as a key platform for global collaboration, strengthening ties among like-minded nations through mutual respect, shared interests, and collective progress in an increasingly uncertain world.
Singh highlighted India’s commitment to peace, stating, “India has never attacked any country nor has it been involved in any great power rivalry. We have always been an advocate of peace and stability. It is part of our fundamental ideals.”
He further stressed that security, stability, and peace transcend national borders, adding, “The presence of our foreign friends at this event is a testimony to the fact that our partners share our vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’”
Defence budget, and domestic manufacturing push
Addressing India’s defence budget, Singh noted that ₹6.81 lakh crore has been allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the Union Budget 2025-26, including ₹1.80 lakh crore for capital acquisition. He emphasised that, similar to previous budgets, 75 per cent of the modernisation budget has been allocated for procurement through domestic sources, aiming to strengthen India’s Defence Industrial Complex.
The five-day event will bring together government representatives, industry leaders, Air Force officers, scientists, defence experts, start-ups, academia, and other stakeholders from across the world.
Aero India 2025 will feature over 100 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including 55 from 19 countries such as the USA, France, Russia, South Korea, the UK, Japan, Israel, and Brazil.
Additionally, 35 Indian companies, including L&T, Adani Defence, Mahindra Defence, and BrahMos Aerospace along with 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) will showcase their capabilities.
One of the key highlights of Aero India 2025 is the grand flypast, featuring fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, and surveillance platforms in meticulously coordinated formations. The flypast will include:
- AKASH – 1 x AN-32
- DHWAJ – 3 x Mi-17
- TEJAS – 3 x LCA
- BHIM – 3 x LUH
- RAKSHAK – 3 x DO-228
- DRONA – 1 x AN-32 + 2 x DO-228
- YODHA – 4 x LCA
- VARUNA – 1 x P-8I + 2 x MiG-29K + 2 x Hawk Mk 132
- SAARTHI – 1 x C-130 + 2 x C-295
- ARJUN – 4 x Jaguar
- NETRA – 1 x EMBRAER-AEW&C + 2 x Su-30MKI
- SHAKTHI – 1 x Rafale + 2 x Su-30MKI
- TRISHUL – 3 x Su-30MKI
(With inputs from PIB)
