Aero India 2025 international seminar on Aerospace, a knowledge-sharing workshop is from February 10 – 14 on Aerospace at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru. Held every two years and organised by the Ministry of Defence, this steadily growing exhibition has become a major global platform for the aviation and defence industries to display their latest technology. Aero India 2025 would strengthen India’s position as one of the key strategic partners in “Aerospace and Defence,” with participation from top aerospace firms, defence delegations, and government representatives across the globe.
Aero India was transformed beyond an air show into a strategic forum to drive foreign collaborations and investments in India’s burgeoning defence domain. The 2025 edition will focus on India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ programmes, which aim to encourage indigenous defence manufacturing and innovation. The event will also be an important platform for defence ministers, military officials, and industry heads to discuss policy, joint ventures, and technology transfer.
Event Overview
Defence officials, industry leaders, and aviation enthusiasts from all over the world converge at Aero India. The 2025 show will offer technology discoveries, flying displays and corporate networking opportunities. The event consists of two events:
- Industry Days (February 10th-12th): The event’s first three days allow the business community, government representatives and industry visitors to participate in discussions, partnerships and the showcasing of advanced technology.
- Public Days (February 13th and 14th): The last two days are for the common public with breathtaking aerial acts, including aerobatic display teams and static displays of the advanced military and civil aviation platforms.
Key Highlights
- Aerobatic displays: Spectators can expect to be wowed with flyovers and aerobatic displays by teams worldwide. Most notably, the United States Air Force will likely present the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which will be participating in India for the first time.
- Exhibitions: More than 800 exhibitors from 15 countries show the latest defence and aerospace technologies. Among the prominent participants are Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin and Israel Aerospace Industries.
- About Defence and Security Seminars & Workshops: A series of seminars and workshops on new-age topics in aviation, defence technology and world security, hosted by thought leaders. These sessions intend to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration amongst stakeholders.
- Defence Ministers’ Conclave: Under the theme of “BRIDGE—Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement,” the conclave aims to strengthen this partnership and enhance global resilience against emerging geopolitical challenges.
- India Pavilion: The pavilion will showcase the country’s commitment to the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative, including indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and innovations by Indian start-ups. In the iDEX Pavilion, the products developed by entrepreneurs under the Innovations for Defence Excellence programme will be showcased.
Registration and Ticketing
Aero India 2025 entry will be only through online registration for visitors. Here’s the breakdown of how to register:
- Click on the Official Website: Go to aeroindia.gov.in.
- Visitor Registration: Under select type, it is Business or General Public or ADVA (Aerospace & Defence Visitors Association).
- Fill out the Registration Form: Name, Contact Information, Nationality, Organisation details.
- Pay the Registration Fee: The fee differs based on pass type:
- Business Pass: ₹5,000 (Indian nationals); USD 50 (Foreign nationals).
- ADVA Pass: ₹1,000 for citizens of India; USD 50 for citizens of other countries.
- General Visitor Pass: ₹2,500 for Indian citizens (on public days) and USD 50 for foreign nationals.
- Confirmation: After the registration and payment process are complete, a confirmation email with pass details will be sent to the email address used for registration.
Venue Details
The location is Air Force Station, Yelahanka, which is 25 kilometres away from Bengaluru city centre or Kempegowda International Airport. The venue is also easily accessible by road. Attendees are encouraged to utilise taxi services or public transport, as parking space is limited. Shuttle buses will run from designated parking locations to the exhibition site.
Security and Guidelines
To take care of the safety and well-being of all attendees, the following protocols have been implemented:
- Bengaluru: With drones, paragliders and balloons all falling under the ambit of sub-conventional aerial platforms, all these have been banned in Bengaluru during the event.
- Identification: Visitors should bring a government-issued ID for security screening.
- Exhibitor Dress Code: Suits, national dress, or service uniforms are required. The organisers have the final say on appropriate dress.
Travel Advisory
If attending Aero India 2025, one needs to plan travel carefully. The security measures at Kempegowda International Airport will be stringent, and temporary flight restrictions will be in place for four days. The airspace in and around Bengaluru will see controlled flight schedules during this period to allow for aerial displays and operations of military aircraft. Attendees flying to the city should check with airlines about possible rescheduling or delays and make travel arrangements appropriately. You should arrive at least a day before if something goes wrong. Domestic travellers are also encouraged to seek alternative flight paths around the event to minimise air traffic congestion on these peak days of the event.
Historical Context
Aero India has been important in promoting India’s aerospace & defence sector since its first edition in 1996. From being a small air show with a few participants, it has grown into one of the world’s largest aerospace and defence exhibitions. It has also been an enabler of international defence partnerships, technology transfer and earlier policy discourses that have spurred India’s defence indigenisation. Aero India is now a “must-access event” for participants, international delegations and even business deals, and its growing significance with each edition has positioned it as a potentially vital event for the stakeholders in the aerospace sector.
With over 800 exhibitors, 98 participating countries and a record-breaking 7 lakh visitors, Aero India 2023 was a landmark event. More than ₹75,000 crore worth of deals were signed, reaffirming the event’s status as a key enabler of defence investments. Other heavy hitters in Aerospace, such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Dassault Aviation and Airbus, displayed their newest aeroplanes and technologies. Adding to this success, the 2025 edition is also expected to reap further rewards as India continues strengthening itself as a global defence hub and an international partner in aerospace innovation and security.
Conclusion
The 2025 Edition of Aero India is poised to be a pivotal platform for promoting state-of-the-art academia, cutting-edge technology, major defence partnerships, and investments. This event will act as a strategic platform for government agencies, defence manufacturers, and industry leaders to develop innovative collaborations, as India aims to establish itself as a significant contender in aviation and defence production worldwide. The focused narrative of indigenisation, technology transfer, and industry alliances compliments India’s long-term interest in self-reliance in defence and Aerospace. Set to be an unmissable experience, the event features a variety of exhibitions, aerial displays and informative seminars led by professionals in the industry.
