Defence Street 
New Delhi: India’s expanding aerospace, defence and civil aviation capabilities took centre stage on September 10 as the three-day AEDEX + AIRPORT Expo 2026 opened at the India International Convention Centre (IICC) in New Delhi.
The international exhibition and conference has brought together defence manufacturers, aerospace companies, airport infrastructure firms, technology providers, investors and government agencies on a common platform to explore new opportunities for collaboration, investment and technology development.
The expo was inaugurated by Vishvajit Sahay, Secretary (Defence Finance), Ministry of Defence.
Addressing the media after the inauguration, Sahay highlighted the importance of the event and the opportunities available in the sector.
“It’s a privilege to be here to address the participants in this AEDEX and AIRPORT function,” Sahay said while addressing the media following the inauguration. “It’s a very good initiative taken by the organisers to organise something on this scale in what is a very niche area, a very niche sector. A sector where there is so much which is to be achieved.“
He underlined that while India has made considerable progress, significant work remains to be done.
He said that India is on its way, “we have made certain strides, but there is still a long way to go”.
“And to attain the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, in my opening address, I did make some observations, and laid out some kind of a roadmap for attaining Viksit Bharat in 2047 in this particular sector,” Sahay added.
Platform for Aerospace, Defence and Aviation Collaboration
AEDEX + AIRPORT Expo 2026 has been positioned as an international business and technology platform connecting the aviation, airport infrastructure, aerospace and defence industries.
The event provides Indian and international companies with an opportunity to display advanced technologies, identify potential partners and explore investment and business opportunities in India.
The expo comes at a time when the government is seeking to strengthen India's position as a global hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing through initiatives such as Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Over the past few years, India's defence ecosystem has witnessed growing participation from startups, MSMEs and private companies, with increasing focus on indigenous design, research, advanced manufacturing and public-private partnerships.
According to the organisers, more than 670 startups, MSMEs and individual innovators have participated in defence challenge programmes or entered into contracts for developing operational prototypes for the Indian armed forces.
Companies such as ideaForge, NewSpace Research and Technologies and Raphe mPhibr have emerged as prominent players in India's deep-tech defence ecosystem and have collectively attracted more than $700 million in venture funding, according to the organisers.
India's aerospace and defence market is projected to reach $70 billion by 2030, creating significant opportunities for Indian and international companies.
Defence and Civil Aviation Convergence
One of the major themes of the expo is the increasing convergence between defence technologies and civil aviation, particularly through the development of dual-use technologies.
Technologies such as autonomous navigation, advanced sensing and perception systems and unmanned platforms, which were initially developed primarily for military applications, are increasingly finding potential applications in civilian aviation and airport operations.
This trend is encouraging deep-tech startups to develop technology platforms capable of addressing both defence and commercial requirements.
HAL Showcases Aerospace and Defence Capabilities
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has emerged as an important participant in this evolving ecosystem, including through its engagement with startups under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework.
Ravi K, CMD, HAL, inaugurated the HAL Pavilion at the expo. Sahay and VK Saraswat, former Member, NITI Aayog, also visited the HAL stall and showed keen interest in the products displayed.
“At this civil-military aerospace and defence ecosystem expo, HAL is showcasing its capabilities across design, development, manufacturing, MRO and upgrades of aerospace and defence platforms, systems and components,” the public sector company posted on its X handle.
HAL has also recently signed a final agreement with Safran Helicopter Engines to jointly develop and manufacture a new-generation helicopter engine. The partnership is expected to contribute to India's efforts to strengthen indigenous aerospace propulsion capabilities.
HAL is also a co-founder of the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), which oversees the iDEX initiative aimed at encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in the aerospace and defence sectors.
The aerospace major has further expanded its industrial partnerships with private companies and public-sector enterprises for manufacturing major structural components for India's indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand. Its partners include Adani Defence Systems and BEML.
In another technological area, HAL has secured the transfer of design and manufacturing rights for LiDAR-based Obstacle Avoidance Systems (OAS) from global technology partners, including Hensoldt Sensors.
The move is expected to support the development of domestic integration and manufacturing capabilities involving Indian tier-1 suppliers and startups.
Startups at the Centre of Defence Innovation
Startup-focused defence challenges, both at the expo and across the broader defence innovation ecosystem, are increasingly concentrating on advanced technologies.
Key areas include autonomous systems, predictive algorithms, intelligent machines, advanced aviation composites and specialised components for rocket and jet engines.
The growing participation of startups and private-sector companies reflects the broader transformation taking place in India's defence industrial base, with innovation and indigenous technology becoming increasingly important to future military capabilities.
AMCA Programme Adds Momentum to Indigenous Aerospace Push
India's indigenous aerospace ambitions have received further momentum following the government's recent approval of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme is expected to create significant opportunities for collaboration among public-sector organisations, private companies, startups and research institutions.
The programme could also accelerate the development of domestic capabilities in advanced aircraft design, manufacturing, materials and other critical aerospace technologies.
Civil Aviation and Airport Infrastructure Expand
At the same time, India's civil aviation and airport infrastructure sectors are undergoing rapid expansion.
India has established itself as the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, while the number of operational airports has more than doubled since 2014.
The expansion, supported by government expenditure as well as private-sector investment, has created a broader ecosystem covering airport development, aviation technology, passenger infrastructure, air-traffic systems and associated services.
Building a Common Aerospace Ecosystem
Against this backdrop, AEDEX + AIRPORT Expo 2026 is seeking to bring India's defence and civil aviation ecosystems closer together.
By bringing manufacturers, technology companies, startups, investors and policymakers onto a common platform, the expo aims to identify new areas of cooperation and create opportunities across the aerospace, defence, aviation and airport infrastructure sectors.
The event reflects India's broader ambition to develop a stronger indigenous aerospace and defence industrial base while positioning the country as a competitive global hub for advanced manufacturing, technology and innovation.