India’s premier defence research organisation, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making a powerful statement at Aero India 2025 with a showcase of indigenously developed cutting-edge technologies and systems.
At the heart of the display is the full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which symbolises the country’s strides in advanced aviation technology.
The India Pavilion, a testament to the Make-in-India initiative, brings together innovations from private industries, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), and start-ups. It displays over 330 products across 14 technology zones.
DRDO’s exhibit features state-of-the-art fighter aircraft models, advanced missile systems, and naval warfare technologies. The key highlights include the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), the LCA-Mk2, the Kaveri Derivative Aero Engine, and the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR).
In addition to its exhibition, DRDO is hosting a seminar titled ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat: Make in India – Make for World’ to promote self-reliance and boost defence exports.
Inauguration by Defence Minister
Aero India 2025, Asia’s largest air show, commenced on February 10 at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The show focuses on technological advancements in the aerospace and defence sectors.
The biennial event, organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation under the defence ministry, brought together global aerospace leaders, defence strategists, and government officials.
This year’s event is being held under the theme ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, which underscores India’s ambitions in aerospace and defence innovation.
It was inaugurated by defence minister Rajnath Singh, who highlighted India’s rapid advancements in defence technology, its growing industrial capabilities, and its vision for international collaboration.
In his opening remarks, Singh emphasised that Aero India 2025 is not just a platform for showcasing technological innovation but also a bridge for strengthening global partnerships.
“We often interact as buyers and sellers, where our relations are at a transactional level. However, at another level, we forge our partnership beyond the buyer-seller relationship to the level of industrial collaboration,” Singh added, stressing security and stability.
Speaking at the Inaugural Ceremony of #AeroIndia 2025 in Bengaluru. https://t.co/jJgSO5zu3a
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 10, 2025
He declared that 2025 will be the ‘Year of Reforms’ for the Indian defence, emphasising that reforms will not only be limited to the government level but will involve active participation from the armed forces, defence PSUs, and private industry.
Moreover, Singh highlighted India’s growing role in global defence and urged long-term industrial collaborations beyond buyer-seller ties. He cited the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft project as a model for future cooperation.
He highlighted India’s commitment to defence exports and indigenous production and noted the sector’s rapid growth. Notably, defence production is expected to exceed ₹1.60 lakh crore and exports ₹30,000 crore by 2025-26. With ₹6.81 lakh crore allocated in the Union Budget, India is emerging as a global hub for aerospace manufacturing.
AI in the Exhibitions
This year’s Aero India exhibition was packed with high-tech displays and live demonstrations, offering a glimpse into India’s evolving defence capabilities. The exhibition runs from February 10 to 14, with the first three days dedicated to business interactions and the final two days open to the general public.
A key attraction at the air show is the MBC2 Swarm Drone System, an AI-powered drone swarming capability that represents India’s growing expertise in autonomous aerial combat.
The event also features an AI-powered mission planning and debriefing system, which uses real-time data analytics to enhance combat strategy and operational effectiveness.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has showcased quantum cryptography, 5G defence solutions, unmanned warfare technology, space situational awareness systems, and theatre command systems.
Advanced communication technologies such as the Ku Band Exciter, direct RF signal processing, and Digital Light Engine (DLE) are also on display. AI-driven innovations include generative AI-powered virtual assistants, AI-based language translation tools, and speech analysis systems.
The AI voice command system introduced at the event aims to improve operational efficiency and pilot decision-making by integrating advanced automation with aircraft controls. This initiative aligns with India’s push towards self-reliance in defence technology and innovation.
India Aims for Self-Sufficiency
Aero India 2025 is setting the stage for India’s technological leap in defence and aerospace. The showcase focuses on India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, which aims to reduce dependency on foreign technology while enhancing force multipliers for tri-service operations.
The event also highlights India’s growing defence electronics and radar technology. A major focus is on Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor solutions, which are key to the development of next-generation radars and electronic warfare systems.
Moreover, the D4 Radar Anti-Drone System, designed to counter emerging UAV threats, is generating significant interest among international defence buyers.
The exhibition featured aerobatic displays by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and showcased cutting-edge technologies, including developments from Indian start-ups at the iDEX pavilion.
In his inaugural speech, Singh cited the development of high-tech products such as the Astra missile, the New Generation Akash missile, and autonomous underwater vehicles as examples of India’s growing capabilities.
पिछले Aero India से लेकर अब तक, यानि सिर्फ 2 सालों में, हमने अनेक उपलब्धियाँ हासिल की हैं। कई High Technology Products जैसे, Astra Missile, New Generation Akash Missile, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Unmanned Surface Vessel, Pinaka Guided Rocket, जैसे कई Equipment भारत में… pic.twitter.com/Q4Juz2l6Km
— Aero India (@AeroIndiashow) February 10, 2025
There has been a notable shift towards fully indigenous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with manufacturers integrating advanced AI to enhance surveillance, efficiency, and navigation in challenging conditions.
This movement aligns with the government’s initiative to eliminate Chinese components from defence equipment. For instance, Delhi-based startup Enord showcased its Inspector Lite defence variant, a surveillance drone entirely free of Chinese parts.
This 4.8-kg carbon fibre UAV features ‘Ease Link’ for operations beyond visual line of sight, a ‘Surround Sense’ detect-and-avoid system, onboard AI processing, real-time crowd detection, and swarm communication capabilities.
Similarly, drone firm IdeaForge unveiled the NETRA 5, its latest surveillance drone equipped with dual payload systems. It uses AI-powered analytics to track people and objects and has GNS-denied operations, which allow it to return home even if jammed.
Space-based Defence Applications
The event also underscores India’s growing strength in space-based defence applications. The Vikram 1 space launch vehicle signals progress in the private space sector, while the Garuda Mission’s Miniaturised Multi-Payload Satellite advances tactical reconnaissance.
GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based aerospace startup, showcased ‘Drishti Mission’, the world’s first multi-sensor SAR + MSI Earth observation satellite. The satellite delivers high-resolution all-weather imaging and is equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor and a multispectral imaging (MSI) sensor.
Alongside them, Pixxel showcased its Firefly constellation, demonstrating hyperspectral imaging for defence, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. On January 15 this year, Pixxel also launched the first three satellites of this Firefly constellation aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission. The constellation offers the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral imaging.
Aero India 2025 reinforces India’s leadership in next-generation defence technology, fostering global collaboration and indigenous innovation. Other key events include the Defence Ministers’ Conclave, the CEOs Roundtable, and the India and iDEX Pavilions, which highlight India’s growing defence ecosystem.
The event, which strongly focuses on AI, automation, and space-based defence, accelerates India’s path to technological self-reliance. As it progresses, defence experts and policymakers see India strengthening global partnerships and advancing its role in aerospace innovation for a secure future.
