Curtains down on Aero India 2025 with dazzling display by aircraft and helicopters

Aero India 2025, the biggest edition yet, showcased advanced aircraft, global participation, and highlighted India's aerospace capabilities.

The 15th edition of the biennial Aero India concluded on Friday with aircraft and helicopters performing for one last time before a full house at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka. Aero India 2025, which was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on February 10, was the biggest ever since the air show began in Bengaluru.

The event saw the participation of 930 exhibitors compared to 800 in the last one held in 2023. Besides, the space, which was utilised by exhibitors also increased from 35,000 sq.m. in 2023 to 42,000 sq.m. this time. During the last edition of the airshow in 2023, there were 809 exhibitors, businesses, investors, start-ups, and MSMEs. A Defence Ministers’ Conclave, CEOs Roundtable, Manthan iDEX event, Samarthya Indigenisation event, and seminars were part of the event.

Mr. Singh at the valedictory function of the airshow on Wednesday 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 said.

Over 100 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) also participated in the CEOs Roundtable which included 55 of them from 19 countries. This edition of the airshow saw many firsts including the participation of one of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) the Russian Su-57 and the unveiling of a full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) equipped with cutting-edge features.

FGFA was one of the main talking points of the airshow as another aircraft of the same category the American F-35 Lightning II was also a participant in Aero India 2025. This was the first time these two FGFAs were seen together in an international airshow sharing the tarmac.

“The inclusion of both the Su-57 and F-35 highlights India’s position as a key hub for international defence and aerospace collaboration. Aero India 2025 provides a rare side-by-side comparison of Eastern and Western fifth-generation fighter technology, offering defence analysts, military personnel and aviation enthusiasts valuable insights into their respective capabilities,” the Ministry of Defence said.