Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently said the country possesses one of the largest defence industrial ecosystems in Asia.

Singh said the government is committed to further enhancing the capabilities.

He added that the Indian aerospace and defence sector represents an attractive opportunity for foreign companies seeking to establish new ventures & partnerships.

He cited the significant milestone of setting-up of the manufacturing facility of C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force through collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence & Space.

Addressing Ambassadors’ Round-Table, organised as a prelude to Aero India 2025, in New Delhi on January 10, 2025, Singh stressed on the need to overcome the present geopolitical tensions for ensuring mutual prosperity and global peace.

“It is of paramount importance that the like-minded countries should strive together for collective actions for peace and prosperity," Singh said.

"Without these, our future generations will not be able to take advantage of economic growth or technological innovations that we are experiencing in today’s era,” he said.

Rajnath Singh asserted that India has emerged as an attractive destination for investment, and Aero India 2025 presents an opportunity for friendly nations to jointly explore strengths and capabilities in the defence sector, addressing both strategic needs as well as tactical requirements.

He said that the event will facilitate industry captains, technology leaders, intellectuals and entrepreneurs with new avenues for collaboration in defence industrial enterprises.

“Aero India 2025 will serve as a vital forum for exploring partnerships that will from the base for future challenges. Together, we can create pathways for growth that are inclusive and sustainable,” he said.

Singh emphasised that air and space power have become pivotal elements in shaping strategies as such assets, incorporated with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning systems, provide an unprecedented advantage in battle-field scenarios.

He described Aero Space Power as the new frontier of military dominance which acts as strategic deterrence.