In this week’s Defence Mantra, Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale speaks to Neelanjana about what he experienced at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, and his thoughts on the participating companies, the platforms on display and the significant agreements, giving us the larger picture of India’s focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.
With a strong focus on indigenous technology, the event brought together top global and domestic aerospace companies, highlighting India’s growing capabilities in defence production and exports.
A major highlight of the show was the India Pavilion, where over 275 exhibits showcased advancements in military aviation, including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the project that represents India’s ambitions to develop next-generation fighter jets. The indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) performed aerial maneuvers, demonstrating its agility and combat readiness.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a key player in India’s aerospace industry, committed to expediting aircraft production following concerns over delivery timelines. The event also saw India’s leading defence firms engage in discussions on enhancing domestic manufacturing and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.
While international participation was strong—with the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 and Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter making appearances—India’s focus remained on strengthening indigenous capabilities. Russia’s offer to co-produce the Su-57 in India reflected India’s evolving role in global defence collaboration. Though Nitin believes India will buy neither Su-57 nor the F-35.
Nitin also talked about the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) companies and the exciting R&D they have come up with.
Aero India 2025 solidified India’s position as a rising defence powerhouse, proving that homegrown technology and innovation are central to its future military strategy. The event reinforced India’s vision of becoming a major defence exporter, marking another step forward in its journey toward self-reliance.
