Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Asia’s largest five-day air show, Aero India 2025, emphasizing India’s transformation into a globally preferred destination for aerospace components and complex system assembly. Highlighting India's rapid advancements in the defence sector, Singh stated, “A wave of innovation is sweeping across, making India a world-class defence powerhouse.”
He credited this progress to strategic policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, noting that India has integrated its defence industry into the broader economy. Singh highlighted the record ₹6.81 lakh crore defence budget for 2025-26, a 9.53% increase, with 75% of the modernization budget dedicated to indigenous production.
He praised HAL’s Maharatna status, collaborations like Tata-IAF’s C-295 aircraft venture, and the role of Bengaluru as an aerospace innovation hub. Singh stressed the need for increased private-sector participation, stating that India is set for major defence reforms in 2025.
With defence manufacturing output reaching ₹1.25 lakh crore and exports surpassing ₹21,000 crore, Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in the sector.
