• Future Warfare Preparedness & Need for Continuous Defence Upgrades

Bangalore. 10 February 2025. The CEOs Roundtable at Aero India 2025, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, brought together over 100 global and Indian industry leaders to discuss strategic opportunities in India’s expanding defence sector. The high-profile event, held in Bengaluru, focused on strengthening international collaborations, fostering defence innovation, and advancing India’s vision of self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) in defence manufacturing.

“Today, the nature of communication and data sharing in military operations is getting much more complex. The reliance on space-based navigation systems, communication and surveillance implies that such assets would have to be integrated in our operational plans. The use of drones in recent conflicts indicate that the future would depend on the integrated efforts of manned, unmanned and autonomous warfare systems. Hence, our defence manufacturing has to focus on creating counter measures for these emerging challenges,” said Rajnath Singh.

The Defence Minister extended an open invitation to global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to leverage India’s robust and expanding defence ecosystem. He urged global defence leaders to collaborate with Indian industries to find innovative solutions to emerging security challenges amid an increasingly fragile global geopolitical landscape. Singh emphasized that India’s defence manufacturing must evolve to address the complexities of modern warfare, including the growing reliance on space-based systems and drone technologies.

The minister  described the issuance of Positive Indigenisation Lists as a clear indicator to the Government’s intent to support the industry in its self-reliance pursuit. He added that for innovation projects in the defence sector, over 500 start-ups & MSMEs are presently working under the aegis of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). “Our overall ease of doing business environment has improved tremendously. This is showing great results as India has the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem in the world today; this is expected to witness Year on Year growth of 10-12%. We possess a young generation of highly-skilled workforce, which constantly updates itself in the face of the fast-changing ecosystem of the world. You must not miss the opportunity to leverage the advantages of this ecosystem,” he told the over 100 CEOs, both domestic and foreign, present on the occasion.

Highlighting the government’s business-friendly approach, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined key initiatives that have positioned India as a favorable destination for defence investments. He emphasized the increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence, allowing up to 75% through the automatic route and 100% under government approval. Furthermore, he highlighted the establishment of 46 joint ventures and partnerships with foreign companies, reinforcing India’s commitment to international collaborations.

The signing of over 250 MoUs within India’s Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu has further strengthened the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, initiatives such as the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) have been introduced to support cutting-edge testing and certification facilities, ensuring India remains at the forefront of technological advancements. The launch of the Defence Exim Portal has significantly streamlined export authorizations, contributing to an impressive 31-fold growth in India’s defence exports over the last decade.

The CEOs Roundtable also focused on emerging trends and opportunities in next-generation warfare technologies. Discussions revolved around the advancements in space-based surveillance and communication systems, which play a critical role in modern military operations. The integration of drones and autonomous warfare platforms was identified as a key priority, with a strong emphasis on developing counter-drone measures and AI-driven military applications.

The conversation also covered the development of advanced military hardware, particularly aero-engines and electronic warfare systems, which are crucial for bolstering India’s defence preparedness. Another area of focus was the expansion of India’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, aimed at reducing dependence on foreign facilities and enhancing domestic capabilities. Singh urged global OEMs to establish manufacturing and R&D facilities in India, highlighting the country’s highly skilled workforce, favourable policy framework, and rapidly evolving defence ecosystem.

The roundtable witnessed active participation from 19 countries, including the USA, France, Russia, the UK, Israel, Japan, and South Korea. Leading Indian defence companies, such as Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge, Adani Defence, Mahindra Defence, BrahMos Aerospace, and Ashok Leyland Defence, were present to explore new partnerships and investment opportunities. Prominent foreign OEMs, including Airbus (France), Rafael (Israel), Mitsubishi (Japan), Liebherr Aerospace (France), Ultra Marine (USA), and John Cockerill Defence (UK), engaged in discussions on expanding their presence in India. Several major announcements were made during the event, with companies committing to joint ventures, strategic collaborations, and increased investments in India’s defence sector. These included plans for the production of spare parts and aero-engines within India, the expansion of MRO facilities for military aircraft and helicopters, and the establishment of advanced R&D centers focused on next-generation military technologies.

The CEOs Roundtable at Aero India 2025 reaffirmed India’s position as a global leader in defence manufacturing and exports. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that India’s proactive policies, commitment to self-reliance, and focus on international partnerships would continue to drive growth in the sector. He emphasized that India is not just a consumer but an emerging powerhouse in the global defence industry, fostering innovation, strengthening global security efforts, and paving the way for its transformation into a defence manufacturing hub.

MoS(Defence) Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat were among those who attended the CEOs Roundtable.

With its business-friendly policies, skilled workforce, and rapidly growing defence sector, India is poised to become a global leader in aerospace and defence manufacturing, making the CEOs Roundtable at Aero India 2025 a landmark event in India’s defence industry trajectory.

All pictures Courtesy X