India moves closer to becoming global aerospace hub- Minister Ram Mohan Naidu
India is steadily positioning itself as a major centre for aerospace manufacturing and civil aviation, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who spoke at the 2nd International Conference and Exhibition on Aerospace Manufacturing in Visakhapatnam.
“India is on its way to becoming both a global hub for civil aviation and a major centre for aircraft component manufacturing,” he said. Over the past decade, the country has moved from being the 11th largest aviation market to the third. The number of airports has risen from 71 in 2014 to 162, with a new airport opening roughly every 40–50 days, underscoring the rapid growth in domestic connectivity.
The conference, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), in partnership with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, carried the theme “From Components to Competitiveness: Accelerating Aerospace Manufacturing & MRO in India”. Policymakers, representatives of global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), MSMEs, and academics gathered to discuss the future roadmap of India’s aerospace sector.
A key highlight was Andhra Pradesh’s Aerospace & Defence Policy 4.0 (2025–2030), which aims to attract Rs 1 lakh crore in investment and generate 100,000 jobs through aerospace clusters, R&D hubs, and the Bhogapuram Aerotropolis project.
Nara Lokesh, the state’s Minister for Human Resources, IT, Electronics & Communications, said, “Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as India’s next aerospace hub with world-class infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and strong partnerships with global OEMs,” and invited industry to invest with assurances of government support.
M Sribharath, MP from Visakhapatnam, highlighted the country’s rising global standing in aerospace, adding that “through sustained innovation and strategic investment, India is rapidly positioning itself alongside global leaders.”
Representatives from Boeing, Airbus, Honeywell, GMR, Cyient, Bharat Forge, and Tata Advanced Systems detailed localisation and advanced manufacturing initiatives. MSMEs and startups were recognised as pivotal to innovation, while discussions also focused on green and digital MRO solutions, including AI-driven predictive maintenance and sustainable aviation technologies.
Speakers projected the aerospace manufacturing industry to grow from USD 1.5 billion today to USD 10 billion within a decade. Measures to enhance MRO competitiveness include GST reductions, 100% foreign direct investment, and dedicated hubs in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nagpur, and Andhra Pradesh. Strengthening global supply chain integration through aerospace clusters and MSME partnerships was also emphasised. Andhra Pradesh, leveraging its policy framework, port connectivity, and a forthcoming greenfield airport, is expected to emerge as a regional hub.
The conference concluded with broad agreement that India’s aerospace sector is at a pivotal point. The next decade will be critical in determining its transition from a component supplier to a globally competitive centre for aerospace design, manufacturing, and MRO services.