Telangana is on track to become India’s aero-engine capital by 2030, said Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT and Industries. Addressing the ‘Empowering Atmanirbhar Bharat: India’s Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Summit’ at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, the Minister highlighted the state government’s strategic roadmap to create a globally competitive aerospace and defence ecosystem. This plan involves close collaboration with leading industrial players and academic institutions to foster innovation and manufacturing excellence.

Sridhar Babu emphasized that Telangana’s foundation as a strategic defence hub, built over years by previous Congress governments, provides the state with a significant advantage in developing an end-to-end aerospace ecosystem. He noted that current global geopolitical shifts and supply chain uncertainties have prompted countries to seek reliable partners, positioning India and Telangana in particular as a credible and attractive destination for aerospace and defence investments.

Highlighting India’s growing defence capabilities, the Minister stated that the country’s defence production crossed Rs 1.5 lakh crore last year, while defence exports rose by 12%, reflecting increasing global confidence in India’s expertise. As part of Telangana’s long-term vision, the aerospace and defence sector is being integrated as a key driver in the state’s ambition to contribute to India’s $3 trillion economy by 2047.

Telangana already hosts over 25 major national and international aerospace and defence companies alongside more than 1,500 MSMEs, creating a strong manufacturing base. Aerospace exports surged from Rs 15,900 crore in 2023–24 to Rs 30,742 crore in the first nine months of 2024–25, demonstrating rapid sector growth.

Sridhar Babu highlighted key industrial investments, including the newly operational Tata–Safran aero-engine facility at Adibatla (Rs 425 crore), the upcoming JSW Defence UAV unit (Rs 800 crore), and Premier Explosives’ defence production facility (Rs 500 crore). Several other global firms are in advanced talks to invest in Telangana, reinforcing the state’s position as India’s future aerospace hub.