Aero India 2023: Showcasing India’s Growth in Aerospace and Defence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India 2023 on February 13, at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. The five-day event, with the theme ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’, showcases India’s growth in aerospace and defence capabilities.
The biggest-ever Aero India event is focused on displaying indigenous equipment and technologies, and forging partnerships with foreign companies, in line with the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision. According to an official statement, the exhibition is likely to witness the participation of 98 countries, the Defence Ministers of 32 countries, Air Chiefs of 29 countries and 73 Chief Executive Officers of global and Indian original equipment manufacturers.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s business-friendly environment and cost-competitiveness as reasons for its growth as a manufacturing destination, making it the fifth largest economy in the world. With over 700 exhibitors from India and abroad, the exhibition is a testimony to the new confidence of the domestic and global business community in India’s emerging business potential.
The Prime Minister also emphasized India’s potential as a defence partner, not just a market for defence companies in the world. India’s partnership with nations ahead in the defence sector, seeking a dependable partner for their defence requirements, is a testament to this.
Aero India 2023 provides an opportunity for Indian MSMEs and start-ups to integrate into the global supply chain and attract foreign investments, including partnerships for co-development and co-production. The CEOs Round Table, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will be held on February 13 to discuss the theme ‘Sky is not the limit: opportunities beyond boundaries’.
Aero India 2023 is a platform for showcasing India’s growth in aerospace and defence, and a testament to its potential as a manufacturing and defence partner. With the participation of numerous countries and companies, it promises to be a huge success, providing a runway to a billion opportunities.
MoUs
The 14th edition of Aero India, the biennial event showcasing India’s aerospace and defence capabilities, is set to conclude with the signing of 251 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth INR 75,000 crore during the three business days, according to defence officials. At the Defence Minister’s conclave, where 32 foreign Defence Ministers have confirmed their participation, India will make a strong case for its indigenous military hardware.
For the first time, Airbus and Thales, two major European defence companies, will hold recruitment interactions for aspiring candidates during the two public days of the expo.
