Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the inauguration of Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station, in Bengaluru on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI
“The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) production line has stabilised, not only with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) but also the General Electric (GE) engines, and we are sure from 2025-26 onwards LCA Tejas supply would be as per the original plan,” Secretary, Defence Production, Sanjeev Kumar said on Sunday (February 9, 2025), while stating that the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Ministry of Defence were discussing various approaches and “appropriate options would be exercised” to keep the armed forces ready for all kinds of situations.
“We are committed to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)… and simultaneously we would be considering all options to make our armed forces ready and prepared,” Mr. Kumar said at the curtain-raiser press conference on Aero India, scheduled to be held from February 10 to 14. Stating that with the production line and engine issues having stabilised by 2025-26, 16-24 LCA would be delivered.
“We are working with our American partner GE so that their supply gets streamlined in 2025-26, and going forward,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited HAL and saw the LCA-Mk1A jets, the deliveries of which have been delayed, among other reasons, due to engine delays.
Amid delays in modernisation and falling fighter squadron strength, both the Russian Su-57 and American F-35, their fifth generation fighters, will be present at Aero India.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew a sortie in a two-seater LCA along with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, which the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan referred to as the forces’ confidence in the platform.
This year’s Aero India, in its 15th edition, is spread over a total area of over 42,000 sq. m., with the confirmed participation of 931 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies, making it the biggest till date.
Mr. Rajnath Singh 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,” the Minister said.
“When it comes to defence manufacturing, I am delighted to share that our domestic defence production has surpassed a record ₹1.27 lakh crore,” Mr. Singh said. “By the end of 2025-26, we expect this figure to exceed ₹1.60 lakh crore…Additionally, our defence exports have also crossed a record ₹21,000 crore, and by the end of 2025-26, we anticipate this figure to surpass ₹30,000 crore. I am confident that this event will further accelerate our journey toward self-reliance in defence production.”
The event comprises the Defence Ministers’ Conclave; a CEOs’ roundtable; the inauguration of the India and iDEX Pavilions; a Manthan iDEX event; a Samarthya indigenisation event; a valedictory function; seminars; breathtaking air shows; and an exhibition by aerospace companies.
As India looks to expand its defence exports, Mr. Singh will host the Defence Ministers’ Conclave on February 11 in hybrid mode. The theme this year, ‘Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE)’, officials said, underscores the importance of supply chain resilience and strategic collaboration in defence.
The last edition witnessed the participation of 27 Defence Ministers and Deputy Defence Ministers alongside 15 Defence and Service Chiefs, and 12 Permanent Secretaries. This year, participation has expanded with over 80 countries likely to participate in the conclave. Around 30 Defence Ministers in addition to Defence/Service Chiefs and Permanent Secretaries from friendly nations are scheduled to attend.
A CEOs’ roundtable on the theme ‘Enabling Defence Cooperation through Global Engagement (EDGE)’ will also be chaired by the Defence Minister on February 10, with over 100 original equipment manufacturers (OEM) confirming their participation, including 55 OEMs from 19 countries, and 35 Indian private sector and 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings.
Published – February 09, 2025 11:35 pm IST