Imagine Telangana powering the next generation of global aircraft engines. The State is aiming to become India’s Aero-Engine Capital by 2030, stated IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu on Saturday.
He was speaking at the Empowering Atmanirbhar Bharat: India’s Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Summit hosted at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad Campus. The summit featured leading figures from industry, academia and defence coming together to strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The Minister said the State government is preparing a comprehensive roadmap to build a globally competitive Aerospace and Defence ecosystem in collaboration with major industries and academic institutions. He noted that earlier Congress governments laid the groundwork for Telangana to evolve into a strategic defence hub with an end-to-end manufacturing value chain.
He added that geopolitical shifts and supply chain disruptions are pushing global players to seek credible and dependable partners like India, and Telangana is positioned to take advantage of this shift. India’s defence production crossed Rs 1.5 lakh crore, while exports recorded 12 percent growth, reflecting rising global confidence in Indian manufacturing. The Aerospace and Defence sector is a critical pillar of Telangana’s contribution to India’s $3 trillion economy vision by 2047, he noted.
Telangana currently hosts more than 25 major national and international A&D companies and over 1,500 MSMEs strengthening its global presence. Aerospace exports have surged from Rs 15,900 crore in 2023–24 to Rs 30,742 crore in the first nine months of 2024–25, signalling rapid sectoral expansion.
Major investments boosting the State’s capabilities include:
- Tata Safran Aero-Engine Facility, Adibatla – Rs 425 crore (recently operational)
- JSW Defence UAV Manufacturing Unit – Rs 800 crore (upcoming)
- Premier Explosives Defence Facility – Rs 500 crore (upcoming)
Sridhar Babu also said that several global companies are in advanced investment discussions with the government.
Meanwhile, Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman, Hero Enterprise, highlighted that India’s self-reliance in defence must sync with global value chains rather than move in isolation. He noted technology is reshaping conflict and strategy, making industry-force-policy collaboration essential.
Professor Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB, stressed ISB’s role in driving research-led innovation and collaboration, noting that aerospace and defence reflect India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision where national security, technology leadership and advanced manufacturing come together. He said ISB serves as a neutral platform uniting public, private and academic stakeholders with a shared purpose to shape the future of India’s defence manufacturing.
Dr Chandan Chowdhury, Executive Director, MIGM, ISB, said the summit saw over 630 delegates from 370+ organisations, thanking industry partners and the College of Defence Management for their support.
The summit focused on innovation and R&D, policy and self-reliance, private sector growth and exports, talent and technology integration, and global strategic partnerships.
“Telangana is fully prepared to lead India’s future in aerospace and defence with the clear vision of becoming the country’s Aero-Engine Capital by 2030,” said Sridhar Babu.
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