- Indo-French Aerospace Ties: A Strategic Partnership in Flight
By Sangeeta Saxena
Le Bourget, Paris. 18 June 2025. India and France share a deep and enduring partnership in the aerospace sector, marked by strategic collaboration, advanced technology transfer, and mutual investment. From the iconic Rafale fighter jet deal to the co-development of critical systems, French aerospace giants such as Dassault Aviation, Airbus, Safran, and Thales have established a significant industrial footprint in India. These partnerships span manufacturing, R&D, MRO, and skill development — with joint ventures like Dassault Reliance Aerospace, Airbus-Tata projects, and Safran’s expanding engine MRO and manufacturing operations in Hyderabad driving localisation and capability building. Regular high-level dialogues, defence expos, and academic-industrial tie-ups reinforce this alliance, making Indo-French aerospace cooperation a cornerstone of India’s push towards self-reliance and global supply chain integration.
In a high-energy curtain raiser hosted at the 55th Paris Air Show, the second edition of Aeromart Hyderabad 2026 was unveiled amid global aerospace and defence stakeholders. The exclusive event, titled “Access to Aerospace, Defence & Space Markets in India – Roadmap and Case Studies from Telangana”, was jointly organised by the Government of Telangana and BCI Aerospace, France. The session spotlighted Telangana’s emergence as a premier aerospace, defence, and space hub in India, backed by dynamic policies, industrial infrastructure, and global partnerships.
Sanjay Kumar IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, Praveen PA, Director – Aerospace & Defence, Government of Telangana and Stephane Castet, CEO & President of ABE/BCI Aerospace, France unveiled the event
Sanjay Kumar IAS emphasized Telangana’s rise as a global destination for aerospace and defence and highlighted India’s and Hyderabad’s strategic advantages during his address. He noted that Hyderabad has been voted the most developed city in India over the past 7–8 years and now hosts the country’s largest aerospace and defence cluster. Speaking on Hyderabad’s emergence, he described it as a fertile ecosystem where initiatives in aerospace, defence, and technology can thrive. Emphasising India’s demographic edge, he stated that with a median age of 28, the nation offers a ready-made supply of manpower, further supported by Telangana’s 100+ engineering colleges, including 10 among India’s top 50.
He stressed that the state is working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure an industry-ready workforce. On the innovation front, he pointed out Telangana’s global leadership in plug-and-play infrastructure for start-ups, enabling seamless progression from idea to product. Kumar also underscored Hyderabad’s global tech prominence, citing that both Facebook and Google have established their largest offices outside the US in the city.
“India is rapidly becoming a global hub for aerospace and defence innovation, and events like Aeromart Hyderabad play a pivotal role in showcasing Telangana’s strengths and fostering collaboration. This second edition is a testament to the growing opportunities within our dynamic aerospace ecosystem, and we are proud to support this event,” he stated.
Telangana boasts a thriving aerospace ecosystem with 8 dedicated aerospace and allied parks supporting innovation, manufacturing, and research. The state is home to over 1,000 MSMEs actively contributing to the aerospace and defence value chain, supplying components, assemblies, and precision systems to major national and global OEMs. Recognising its rapid growth and investor-friendly environment, Hyderabad was ranked #1 in FDI’s Aerospace Cities of the Future 2020-21, underscoring its global competitiveness and strategic importance in the aerospace sector.”
Praveen PA, Director A&D for the state reinforced Hyderabad’s strategic significance stating, “With its strategic location and robust industrial base, Hyderabad has emerged as a beacon for aerospace and defence excellence. As we look towards the future, initiatives like Aeromart Hyderabad are key to advancing our vision for India’s aerospace sector to be at the forefront of global progress and technological advancements.”
He added, “Telangana offers one of the most efficient and investor-friendly industrial approval frameworks in India, anchored by a unique self-certification system. Under the state’s single-window mechanism, all industrial approvals and licenses are issued within 15 to 30 days, with a deemed approval clause if the timeline exceeds the stipulated turnaround time (TAT). This streamlined process enables production timelines to begin in as little as six months. The state’s flagship industrial policy, TG-IPASS (Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self-Certification System), is widely regarded as India’s most attractive and proactive industrial policy. Additionally, a new MSME policy has been rolled out to specifically address the requirements of the downstream supply chain, ensuring a comprehensive ecosystem for manufacturing and innovation.”
Aeromart Hyderabad, India returns for its second edition as a premier supply chain and MRO forum, exclusively designed for vetted suppliers and OEMs showcasing their capabilities, services, and applications in both commercial and defense aviation. Unlike traditional trade shows, Aeromart Hyderabad offers a distinctive B2B matchmaking platform that brings together buyers and suppliers from across the entire manufacturing supply chain. It provides a unique opportunity to forge new connections, strengthen existing partnerships, and explore innovative business opportunities in the aviation industry.
Stephane Castet echoed the enthusiasm and outlined expectations for 2026, “After the tremendous success of our inaugural edition in 2024, we are excited to bring together even more leading experts, companies, and innovators in aerospace and defence for the second edition of Aeromart Hyderabad 2026. This is not just an event; it’s a platform for ideas, partnerships, and opportunities that will shape the future of the A&D industry.”
India, and particularly Telangana, offers tremendous opportunities for global aerospace and defence (A&D) firms looking to expand their footprint in a globally ranked low-cost, high-quality manufacturing environment. Amid rising geopolitical uncertainties and global supply chain disruptions, the region provides an ideal platform to develop a reliable and resilient supply base. Telangana’s investor-friendly ecosystem ensures best-in-class facilitation, with a focus on ease of doing business, including fast-track approvals and investment-linked incentives. The lower cost of energy and resources further enhances competitiveness. Collaboration is central to success in emerging technologies and the new space economy, and Telangana provides the right platform for such partnerships. Additionally, firms gain access to the world’s fastest-growing regional market, offering a win-win opportunity by boosting production and employment in both India and the investor’s home country.
The curtain raiser at Le Bourget sent a powerful signal of Telangana’s strategic role in shaping the global aerospace value chain. As preparations intensify for Aeromart Hyderabad 2026, the state stands poised to host a landmark event that will drive forward collaborations, innovation, and investment in the Indian aerospace and defence ecosystem.
