India opens air show with eye on boosting defence manufacturing and exports

10/2/2025 14:04

India is committed to boosting manufacturing and exports of defence equipment in the coming years, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday at the opening of the country's biggest air show, where its military ambitions will be in focus.



India, the world's largest arms importer, has stressed the need to modernise its military and boost domestic defence production to counter rival China's growing military strength and influence in South Asia.



Singh said, India's domestic defence manufacturing value will reach more than 1.25 trillion rupees ($14.24 billion) in the fiscal year ending in March, while its defence exports will cross a record 210 billion rupees for the first time over the same period.



"We are fully committed to significantly increase these numbers in the coming years," he said at the show, which kicked off with the country's fighter jets flying past in formations across a clear sky.