By Kamal Shah
Two years ago, we set out on a mission to capture the nation’s progress in defence, aviation, and aerospace. Now, as we celebrate this milestone, we can proudly say that it has been a journey of discovery, full of great insights into strategic planning and the intricacies of maintaining security. We have witnessed the Make-in-India mantra become a reality, galvanising the military-industrial complex and positioning India as a major player in these areas. Our short-term and long-term plans include not only upgrading our armed forces but also creating a viable infrastructure in manufacture, research, and development for terrestrial and space applications. The future is not just bright, but full of promises of high achievement.
Our focus on aviation has prioritised the development of smaller regional airports to give everyone access to flights. The regional connectivity scheme has made this concept a reality, with over 400 routes already in operation. We have become the number one nation for buying aircraft, giving global aviation a much-needed spur after the Covid crisis.
We owe a great deal of gratitude to several high-profile Managing Directors, Chief Executive Officers, state ministers, and other elected leaders who have encouraged us along the way. We also salute the memory of the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, who inspired us to keep going and educate the civil population.

Our armed forces have received much-needed incentives to modernise the soldier and enhance their lethal envelope. Cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art artillery and combat vehicle platforms are being manufactured, providing tangible comfort to the man on the battlefield. The Indian Navy has increased its seapower, with over 45 vessels under construction, including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and conventional-powered and nuclear submarines. The Indian Air Force is primed for protecting the celestial canopy, with a priority given to drone power and missile systems, including the extra Long Range Surface to Air Missile (XRSAM) being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Our Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and paramilitary forces have matured into formidable entities, providing the ideal infrastructure and capabilities to make us a formidable foe and a very good friend. Industry 4.0 technologies are being rapidly inducted, holding the key to the A&D sector’s competitiveness in the future.
We are proud to report that the Indian aerospace and defence composite market size will increase with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1 percent for the next six years. These are all positive developments, thanks to a more enlightened government and to the top echelons in the various corridors of power who have collectively understood and appreciated the need for fast-tracking our armed might and our determination to extend the frontiers. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.