Aero India's next edition in February, foreign tie ups and Make in India on agenda

During the last Aero India, more than 250 partnerships including 201 MoUs were signed, with technology transfer deals worth Rs 75,000 crore.

One of the world's most prominent aero shows, the Aero India's 15th edition will take place between February 10 and 14 this year, with plans to explore partnerships with foreign companies and ways to accelerate the indigenisation roadmap, the Ministry of Defence informed on January 6.

Branded as 'Runway to a Billion Opportunities', the event will showcase a Defence Ministers’ Conclave along with a CEOs’ Round table, apart from routine exhibitions and air shows. The Defence Ministers’ Conclave will aim to facilitate a 'strategic partnership with friendly countries', said the Ministry, and seek 'mutual prosperity'.

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Without divulging details, the Ministry of Defence informed aboout a number of bilateral meetings that are being planned. "The focus will be on bolstering the defence and aerospace ties with friendly countries by exploring newer avenues to take the partnership to the next level," said a statement from the Ministry of Defence. Global CEOs and CMDs of domestic PSUs are expected to attend the event, along withb top private defence and aerospace manufacturers from India. Among the agenda of the CEO's huddle would be to workout modalities to encourage more manufacturing of defence equipment in India.

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Promotion of Indian start-ups will be another focus area at Aero India 2025, said the MoD statement. It is also expected that leading defence PSUs may reveal further details of some of their leading and pioneering projects to interested overseas buyers.

During the last Aero India, more than 250 partnerships including 201 MoUs were signed, with technology transfer deals worth Rs 75,000 crore.

Centre has already stated that it plans to step up on defence-related reforms in 2025, with focus on cyber and space domains, along with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.