The 15th edition of Asia’s largest airshow, Aero India, began at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Monday, February 10, 2025. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated this 5-day show, which will conclude on February 14, 2025. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the Chief of Defence Staff, Anil Chauhan, and tri-service chiefs General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Sing, attended the inauguration ceremony.
DK Shivakumar addressed the inauguration and claimed that Bengaluru controls over 60% of the country’s aerospace manufacturing and defence research operations. He called for greater investment in the city’s aerospace sector to promote local talent.
Mr Shivakumar urged Rajnath Singh to establish more aerospace industries in Karnataka and offer incentives to manufacturers. He stated, “Karnataka is at the forefront of India’s technological and industrial progress. We have world-class research institutions and cutting-edge aerospace companies supported by a highly skilled workforce.”
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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister further added, “Karnataka became the first state to announce an aerospace policy in 2013. We have set aside 1,000 acres near Devanahalli to establish an Aerospace Park for aerospace companies.” He added that the state government is expanding its aerospace footprint beyond Bengaluru under the 2013 aerospace policy, developing hubs in Belagavi, Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Chamarajanagar.
He shared that Karnataka contributes 67% of aircraft and helicopter manufacturing for 65% of exports and defence services in India. The robust aerospace ecosystem includes important organisations, namely HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), and BIETC (Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center).
