Context

• Aero India 2025, scheduled to be held at the Indian Air Force station in Yelahanka, Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, represents more than just an aviation exhibition.
• It is a strategic platform for innovation, strengthening global alliances, and propelling technological advancements in the aerospace and defence sectors.
• This 15th edition is poised to redefine aerospace expositions and bolster India’s position as a key player in global aviation and defence industries.

 The Journey of Aero India: A Legacy of Transformation

• Humble Beginnings and Early Growth (1996–2005)
  • The inaugural edition of Aero India in 1996 was a modest affair, primarily aimed at showcasing India’s existing aerospace capabilities and attracting foreign investment in the sector.
  • Held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, it provided an initial platform for domestic and international aviation companies to explore business opportunities.
  • While the scale was limited, the event set the foundation for what would later become a strategic platform for collaboration and technology transfer.
  • During the early 2000s, Aero India gained recognition among global defence manufacturers, leading to increased participation from countries such as Russia, Israel, and the United States.
  • This period also saw India gradually expanding its domestic aerospace industry, with the government encouraging technology partnerships with international players.
• Strengthening Domestic Capabilities (2005–2015)
  • Between 2005 and 2015, Aero India witnessed a sharp rise in international participation, with leading aerospace giants such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Dassault Aviation, and Airbus establishing a strong presence.
  • This decade was marked by major defence procurement deals, including the acquisition of advanced fighter jets like the Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.
  • Concurrently, India intensified its efforts to develop indigenous defence platforms.
  • The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, an ambitious project led by HAL, gained prominence during Aero India exhibitions, showcasing India’s ability to design and manufacture world-class fighter aircraft.
• A Shift Towards Self-Reliance and Global Leadership (2015–Present)
  • The past decade has been transformative for India’s aerospace and defence industries, and Aero India has played a pivotal role in this shift.
  • Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government has aggressively pursued self-reliance in defence manufacturing through initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
  • These policies have encouraged private-sector participation, promoted domestic production, and reduced dependence on foreign imports.
  • Aero India has evolved from a showcase of global technologies into a platform where India demonstrates its growing aerospace capabilities.

Technological Showcases and Strategic Significance

• Showcasing the Best of Global Aviation: The Su-57 and F-35
  • One of the most anticipated highlights of Aero India 2025 is the display of two of the world's most advanced fighter aircraft, the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35.
  • This unprecedented participation underscores India’s growing importance in the global defence ecosystem and its ability to attract major aerospace powers.
  • The Russian Su-57
    • The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter jet designed for air superiority and ground attack missions.
    • It features stealth technology, advanced avionics, and super manoeuvrability, making it a formidable force in modern aerial combat.
    • With its capability to engage multiple targets simultaneously and operate in contested airspace, the Su-57 represents Russia’s most advanced fighter technology.
  • The American F-35
    • The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is considered the most technologically advanced stealth fighter in the world.
    • Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare capabilities, the F-35 offers unparalleled situational awareness, network-centric warfare integration, and superior stealth characteristics.
    • The presence of the F-35 at Aero India signifies India’s growing defence ties with the United States and its increasing role in shaping global security dynamics.
  • By bringing these two cutting-edge aircraft to the same event, Aero India 2025 will provide aviation experts, policymakers, and defence analysts with a rare opportunity to compare their capabilities and performance firsthand.
• India’s Indigenous Technological Breakthrough: The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
  • One of the most significant moments of Aero India 2025 will be the unveiling of a model of India's fifth-generation fighter jet, the
  • Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), AMCA is a major step toward India’s goal of achieving self-reliance in military aviation.
  • The AMCA is designed as a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter with advanced avionics, super cruise capability, and internal weapons carriage for reduced radar visibility.
• Showcasing the Role of Start-Ups and Innovation: The ‘Manthan’ Platform
  • Aero India 2025 is not just about major aerospace giants; it is also about creating innovation at the grassroots level.
  • The ‘Manthan’ platform, a dedicated segment for start-ups, will play a crucial role in highlighting India’s emerging defence and aerospace ecosystem.
  • Through the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) initiative, the government has been encouraging Indian start-ups to develop indigenous solutions for military applications.
  • Aero India will showcase pioneering advancements from these start-ups, ranging from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and artificial intelligence-driven defence systems to cybersecurity and electronic warfare technologies.

The Visitor Experience and Global Engagement

• With over 700,000 visitors expected, substantial logistical improvements have been implemented in collaboration with national and state authorities.
• These include optimised traffic management, expanded road infrastructure, enhanced shuttle transport services, and real-time monitoring for congestion control.
• A multi-tiered security strategy, improved seating zones, dining facilities, and a dedicated Aero India 2025 mobile application will further ensure a seamless and engaging experience for attendees.
• The event will not only feature static aircraft exhibitions but also captivating aerial displays, live technology demonstrations, and interactive seminars, offering valuable insights into the latest advancements in aerospace and defence technology.
• Such an immersive experience will provide industry stakeholders and enthusiasts with a deeper understanding of global trends and India’s growing capabilities in these sectors.

Conclusion

• Aero India 2025 is more than an exhibition; it is a powerful statement of India’s intent to become a global leader in defence and aerospace production.
• By bridging technological gaps, focusing on innovation, and strengthening international partnerships, this event serves as a crucial catalyst in India’s journey towards self-reliance.
• As the country continues to invest in cutting-edge aerospace technology and expand its global footprint, Aero India 2025 will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s defence and aviation industries.

Q1. What is the significance of Aero India 2025?

Ans. It is a premier aerospace and defence exhibition that showcases technological advancements, fosters global collaborations, and strengthens India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Q2. Which two advanced fighter jets will be showcased at Aero India 2025?

Ans. The Russian Su-57 and the American F-35, representing cutting-edge stealth and combat technology.

Q3. What is India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet under development?

Ans. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), featuring stealth technology and 75% indigenous content.

Q4. How does Aero India 2025 support start-ups and innovation?

Ans. Through the Manthan platform and iDEX initiative, which promote Indian start-ups developing advanced defence and aerospace technologies.

Q5. How does Aero India contribute to India’s global defence position?

Ans. It enhances India’s defence exports, strengthens international partnerships, and reinforces India’s role as a key player in global aerospace and military innovation. 

Source:The Hindu

Context

• The upcoming AI Action Summit, co-chaired by India and France in Paris on February 10-11, 2025, marks a significant milestone in global AI governance.
• This summit follows earlier AI safety discussions in the United Kingdom (2023) and South Korea (2024), expanding the discourse beyond risk management to include innovation, AI governance, and the future of work.
• For India, this event presents a crucial opportunity to further the interests of the Global South in the evolving AI landscape while positioning itself as a leader in international AI policy discussions.

India’s Growing Influence in AI Governance

• India has been an active participant in global AI discussions.
• The country played a key role in the Bletchley Park meeting, which focused on frontier AI models and safety concerns, and in the Seoul summit, which emphasised multilateral collaboration on AI risk management.
• India’s establishment of its own AI Safety Institute aligns with these global efforts, demonstrating its commitment to AI safety and governance.
• Beyond safety, India has been a strong advocate for the Global South, emphasising equitable access to AI infrastructure.
• Under its presidency of the G20 in 2023, India promoted a ‘pro-innovation regulatory/governance approach’ that sought to balance innovation with necessary safeguards.
• Similarly, at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) meeting in December 2023, India highlighted the importance of equitable access to AI research and innovation resources.
• These initiatives underscore India’s ambition to shape the global AI discourse, ensuring that developing nations are not left behind.

Key Strategic Priorities for India at the Paris Summit

• Democratising Access to AI Resources
  • One of the primary challenges faced by the Global South is the lack of access to critical AI resources.
  • While India has made strides in this area by launching a national AI computing facility with over 18,600 GPUs and government subsidies, a broader effort is needed.
  • India should advocate for an inclusive AI ecosystem that ensures access to:
    • Computing infrastructure, including cloud computing and distributed computing solutions.
    • Data resources, such as high-quality datasets and data storage facilities.
    • Foundation models and application development platforms, which are often controlled by AI superpowers.
    • Innovative AI safety tools, such as watermarking technology for content authentication.
  • India should also emphasise the importance of open-source AI models, citing the success of initiatives like DeepSeek.
  • Furthermore, it should push for flexible cross-border AI technology transfers while maintaining appropriate safety regulations.
• Prioritising AI Use-Cases for the Global South
  • AI applications should address the unique challenges of the Global South rather than being imposed as generic solutions.
  • India must advocate for the development of a structured framework that identifies and prioritises AI use cases relevant to developing nations. Some key areas include:
    • Healthcare: AI-driven early disease detection systems tailored to local healthcare infrastructure.
    • Education: Personalised learning platforms adapted to diverse educational contexts.
    • Agriculture: AI tools designed to enhance regional farming practices and productivity.
  • To facilitate this, India should propose the creation of an AI use-case repository, which would help guide Global South nations in leveraging AI effectively.
• Contextualising AI Risks and Safety Measures
  • AI risks vary significantly between developed and developing nations.
  • Many risk assessments and safety measures focus on the concerns of the Global North, overlooking challenges faced by the Global South.
  • India should highlight unique risks, such as cultural erosion caused by AI models predominantly trained on Western datasets.
  • Additionally, India should advocate for a data-driven approach to AI risk mitigation, including:
    • Collecting evidence of AI-related harms specific to the Global South.
    • Developing regulatory frameworks based on real-world AI impact assessments.
    • Creating a repository of AI-related harms to inform future policymaking.
  • By doing so, India can help ensure that AI governance frameworks are inclusive and responsive to diverse global challenges.

India’s Potential Role as a Future AI Summit Host

• As a co-chair of the Paris Summit, India has a strategic opportunity to solidify its leadership in AI governance.
• By championing the Global South’s interests, India can position itself as a frontrunner to host the next AI Action Summit.
• This would allow it to further influence global AI policymaking, bridging the gap between AI superpowers and developing nations.

Conclusion

• India’s participation in the Paris AI Action Summit is a pivotal moment for both the nation and the Global South.
• By advocating for democratised AI access, region-specific AI applications, and contextualised AI risk assessments, India can ensure that AI benefits are shared equitably across the world.
• Furthermore, securing a leadership role in future AI summits would reinforce India’s position as a key player in global AI governance.
• As artificial intelligence continues to shape the future, India’s proactive engagement in these discussions will be crucial in driving an inclusive and responsible AI ecosystem.

Q1. What is the main objective of India’s participation in the AI Action Summit in Paris?

Ans. India aims to advocate for the interests of the Global South by promoting equitable AI access, prioritizing AI use cases relevant to developing nations, and ensuring AI safety measures are contextualized.

Q2.  How has India contributed to global AI governance before the Paris Summit?

Ans. India actively participated in AI safety discussions in the UK and South Korea, established its own AI Safety Institute, and promoted a pro-innovation regulatory approach at the G20 and GPAI meetings.

Q3. Why is democratizing AI access important for the Global South?

Ans. Many developing nations lack critical AI infrastructure, such as computing power, datasets, and foundational models, which limits their ability to leverage AI for economic and social development.

Q4.  What are some key AI applications India should advocate for at the summit?

Ans. AI applications in healthcare (early disease detection), education (personalized learning), and agriculture (enhanced farming tools) should be prioritized to address the unique needs of the Global South.

Q5. How can India strengthen its position as a leader in global AI policymaking?

Ans. By championing AI equity, advocating for an inclusive governance framework, and positioning itself as a host for future AI summits, India can bridge the gap between AI superpowers and developing nations. 

Source:The Hindu