India's aerospace sector is emerging as a strategic pillar of the nation's economic growth, technological advancement and national security. Driven by one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, increasing defence modernisation, expanding space capabilities and a strong manufacturing ecosystem, the sector offers significant opportunities across civil aviation, defence aerospace, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aerospace manufacturing, unmanned systems and advanced technologies.
India's favourable policy environment, skilled engineering talent, robust digital capabilities and growing network of domestic suppliers have strengthened its position as an important participant in the global aerospace value chain. Government initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, enhanced Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policies, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) ecosystem for advanced manufacturing, and reforms in the civil aviation and space sectors have accelerated private sector participation, technology development and indigenous manufacturing. At the same time, increasing collaboration between global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Indian industry is creating new opportunities for investment, innovation and exports.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), through its National Committee on Aerospace & Defence, works closely with the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Defence Production, Department of Space, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), aerospace public sector enterprises, industry leaders, MSMEs, startups, academia and global partners to strengthen India's aerospace ecosystem. CII provides a platform for policy advocacy, industry-government collaboration, capability development, international partnerships and supply chain integration to enhance the global competitiveness of the Indian aerospace sector.
The Committee focuses on the following priority areas:
- Promoting indigenous design, development and manufacturing across civil and defence aerospace.
- Strengthening India's aerospace manufacturing ecosystem through supply chain development, localisation and technology partnerships.
- Facilitating investments, innovation and global collaborations in aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing.
- Supporting policy reforms that improve ease of doing business and enhance sector competitiveness.
- Promoting growth of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) ecosystem and related aviation services.
- Enabling MSMEs and startups to participate in domestic and global aerospace value chains.
- Encouraging adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, digital engineering, automation, additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0 practices.
- Building a future-ready aerospace workforce through skill development, research collaboration and industry-academia partnerships.
- Strengthening export capabilities and positioning India as a trusted global sourcing and manufacturing hub for aerospace systems and components.
CII remains committed to fostering a globally competitive, innovation-driven and self-reliant aerospace sector that supports India's aspirations of becoming a leading centre for aerospace manufacturing, aviation services, defence production and advanced technology development while contributing to economic growth, employment generation and national capability.
India's aerospace sector is emerging as a strategic pillar of the nation's economic growth, technological advancement and national security. Driven by one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, increasing defence modernisation, expanding space capabilities and a strong manufacturing ecosystem, the sector offers significant opportunities across civil aviation, defence aerospace, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aerospace manufacturing, unmanned systems and advanced technologies.
India's favourable policy environment, skilled engineering talent, robust digital ...