Aero India 2023, the 14th edition of Asia’s largest aero show concluded on 17th February. It was a major event for the
aerospace industry in India, drawing in experts and innovators from around the world. Over the course of five days, more than 800 companies displayed their aerospace and defense capabilities during the event. At the show, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in aerospace technology and discuss strategies for further development.
The event was a successful one, with 266 partnerships being forged, which included 201 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), 53 major announcements, nine product launches and three Transfers of Technology (ToT), estimated to be worth approximately Rs 80,000 crores.
“The sky of Bengaluru is becoming a witness to the capability of New India. Bengaluru's sky is giving a testimony that the new height is the truth of New India. Today, the nation is touching new heights and even crossing it,” said PM Narendra Modi. In this article, we will be looking at three key takeaways for the
aerospace industry from Aero India 2023 and what they mean for the industry.
The Shift towards Indigenous Technologies
Aero India 2023 was a testimony to the fact that the
aerospace engineering in India is undergoing a shift towards indigenous technologies. This shift has been driven largely by government initiatives that have emphasized the need to move away from reliance on foreign suppliers and promote the growth of local manufacturing capabilities. The Indian government's Make in India campaign has been especially influential in this regard, with its focus on the creation of an ecosystem that facilitates research, cutting-edge innovation, and development.
The event witnessed some interesting product launches. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) showcased its new air-defense weapon system, the VL-SRSAM. The vertical-launch short-range surface-to-air missile is designed for Indian Navy vessels to provide quick defense against fast and low aerial threats such as aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. This all-weather system is expected to offer top performance in engaging supersonic targets in various scenarios.
Bharat Electronics Limited presented HF SDR Radio which is a state-of-the-art software defined radio. It has a lightweight 20 W transmit capability and a variety of features to