Telangana To Be India's Aerospace & Defence Capital By 2030: Uttam Kumar
Describing Hyderabad as one of the world’s most cost-effective aerospace destinations, he highlighted the city’s strong ecosystem comprising defence laboratories, research institutions, advanced manufacturing facilities, and a vibrant MSME base.
Hyderabad: Telangana is firmly positioning itself as a national leader in aerospace and defence manufacturing, and by 2030, the state will emerge as India’s undisputed Aerospace and Defence Capital, stated Dr N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Minister for Irrigation, CAD, Food & Civil Supplies. Speaking in the lines of the MSME Spark 3.0 – Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing conclave held at Hyderabad on Friday, the Minister stated that aerospace and defence are among the priority sectors identified by the State Government under its industrial policy framework.
The conclave was conducted by the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), in association with the Department of Industries & Commerce, which brought together over 400 policymakers, defence experts, industry leaders, innovators, investors, startups, and MSMEs to deliberate on emerging opportunities in India’s rapidly expanding aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister recalled his own association with the defence services as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force and shared his experience of serving as ADC to the President of India after retiring from active flying following a forced ejection from a fighter aircraft.
Describing Hyderabad as one of the world’s most cost-effective aerospace destinations, he highlighted the city’s strong ecosystem comprising defence laboratories, research institutions, advanced manufacturing facilities, and a vibrant MSME base. He informed that nearly 1,500 MSMEs in Telangana are currently part of the aerospace and defence supply chain ecosystem.
He also highlighted the Government’s focus on skill development and future-ready education initiatives, including the proposed Telangana Young India Skill University, which he said would significantly contribute towards strengthening India’s defence equipment manufacturing ecosystem and developing a skilled workforce for emerging technologies.
The inaugural session was graced by Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, Member, National Security Advisory Board and Former Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman, DRDO, and Dr. Chandrika Kaushik, Distinguished Scientist & Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction), DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy stated that the conclave was being held at a significant time coinciding with the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, which demonstrated to the world the strength of India’s indigenously developed defence systems, arms, ammunition, and advanced technologies. He credited Indian industries, especially MSMEs, for their contribution towards the success of the operation and emphasised that India’s growing defence capabilities were a result of sustained indigenous innovation and manufacturing.
Highlighting modern warfare’s tech shift amid Iran-USA and Israel conflicts, Dr. Satheesh Reddy said drone systems are now decisive for national security. He called for greater women’s participation in defence and noted Hyderabad’s rise as a key aerospace hub due to its premier defence institutions. India’s defence manufacturing is growing fast. The Defence Acquisition Council recently cleared acquisitions worth ₹3.5 lakh crore under AoN - among India’s biggest military modernisation moves. India has placed defence orders worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore, including ∼220 Tejas fighter jets worth over ₹1.19 lakh crore, one of its largest indigenous aviation programmes. Defence exports are also rising, with the MoD targeting ₹50,000 crore by 2028. Dr. Reddy urged startups and MSMEs to enter the sector, noting that funding is no longer a barrier. He cited the Akash Missile programme, where MSMEs contributed nearly 80% of the value, as proof of small industries’ critical role in defence capability.
The dignitaries reiterated the importance of stronger collaboration among industry, academia, startups, and government institutions to accelerate India’s journey towards defence self-reliance and technological leadership.