Bengaluru: India’s defence exports are on track to cross the Rs 30,000 crore mark for 2025-26, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced Sunday, on the eve of the biggest ever aviation exhibition in the country’s history—Aero India 2025.
He added that defence production, having crossed the record figure of Rs 1.27 lakh crore this fiscal, will exceed Rs 1.6 lakh crore by the end of the next financial year. Defence exports, which touched the record figure of Rs 21,000 crore, he said, will surpass Rs 30,000 crore.
Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, who was also addressing the media in Bengaluru on the eve of Aero India, spoke about the current two-year delay in the delivery of the Tejas MK 1A.
“It is a fact that there has been a delay in supplying LCA Tejas. But good news is that the production line has stabilised, not only at HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), but also at GE (General Electric) for the engines,” he said.
Kumar added that starting 2025-26, India will have an annual production capacity of 16-24 Tejas MK1A jets. He further said that the defence ministry remains committed to ‘Make In India’, and to that extent, it will be investing its resources and energy in LCA Tejas and also AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), a fifth generation fighter aircraft that India is working on.
“Simultaneously, we will also be actively considering the preparedness of our defence forces so that an equitable decision, equalising all requirements will be taken at an appropriate time,” he said.
Asked specifically whether India will be going in for a fifth generation fighter deal with the US or Russia, he said that the query was premature and based on conjectures. “We are committed to AMCA and work is going in that direction. Simultaneously, we will be considering all options to make our armed forces ready,” Kumar said.
With the broad theme of ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, Aero India 2025 will showcase India’s aerial prowess and indigenous cutting-edge innovations, alongside state-of-the-art products of global aerospace companies.
The defence minister confirmed participation of over 900 exhibitors at the five-day event, including 150 foreign companies.
He termed the participation of more than 90 countries as a testament to the growing global confidence in India’s aerospace and defence capabilities. “Defence ministers or representatives from about 30 countries have come to participate in this event. The presence of air chiefs and secretaries from 43 countries further highlights the significance of this event—not just for India, but for the entire international defence community,” he told media persons.
Singh will host the Defence Ministers’ Conclave on 11 February in hybrid mode. The theme this year—‘Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE)’—underscores the importance of supply chain resilience and strategic collaboration in defence.
The last edition had witnessed the participation of 27 defence ministers and deputy defence ministers, alongside 15 defence and service chiefs and 12 permanent secretaries. This year, representatives from more than 80 countries are likely to participate in the conclave. Approximately 30 defence ministers, in addition to defence/service chiefs and permanent secretaries, from friendly nations will attend the event.
One of the key highlights of the Aero India 2025 will be the participation of two of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft—the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II.
The Su-57 is Russia’s premier stealth multirole fighter, designed for superior air superiority and strike capabilities. Equipped with advanced avionics, supercruise capability and stealth technology, it is making its debut at Aero India 2025. Visitors can expect high-speed aerial manoeuvres and tactical demonstrations highlighting the fighter’s agility, stealth and firepower.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most widely-deployed fifth-generation fighter, integrates advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness and networked combat capabilities. Its presence at Aero India 2025 will enable visitors to witness the flagship of the US Air Force.
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