New Delhi: India’s aerospace and aviation sector is at a critical inflexion point, with experts highlighting strong growth potential driven by defence manufacturing, advanced technology adoption and global partnerships.

Industry leaders, policymakers and researchers at the International Conference on Future of Aviation and Aerospace (FOAA) said the sector is poised for expansion, supported by artificial intelligence (AI), improved safety systems, efficiency upgrades and increasing global competitiveness.

The event, hosted by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore in collaboration with TBS Education, brought together top executives, innovators, entrepreneurs and policymakers from the aviation and aerospace ecosystem.

Experts stressed the need for India to move beyond assembly-based manufacturing towards high-value design, engineering and lifecycle services, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), to strengthen long-term competitiveness.

Conference Co-chair G Shainesh said India’s aerospace and aviation sector stands at a decisive stage, where strategic priorities will shape future growth and global positioning.

Another Co-chair, S Raghunath, said India must build stronger design capabilities and strengthen its position in MRO and lifecycle intelligence rather than remaining primarily an assembly hub or outsourcing base.

Speakers noted that demand in the aviation sector has surged, creating significant industrial opportunities, but cautioned that regulatory frameworks must evolve in line with rapid technological change.

Highlighting international cooperation, Annett Baessler said India and Europe are deepening aviation ties, citing India’s memorandum of understanding with Lufthansa and expanding bilateral collaboration.

She noted that India has become one of Airbus’s largest engineering hubs outside Europe, with strong involvement across commercial, defence and space programmes.

Baessler also pointed to India’s rising aircraft orders and the government’s Make in India initiative as indicators of the country’s growing global competitiveness in aerospace manufacturing.

She added that the proposed EU–India Free Trade Agreement could further strengthen cooperation, particularly in MRO services, workforce development and industrial integration.

Industry leaders said India’s aviation sector has seen exponential growth over the past two decades in safety, technology, systems and customer service.

Sunil Bhaskaran noted that India’s aviation penetration remains relatively low, with significant growth potential ahead.

He said the country’s key advantage lies in scaling the aviation value chain through the adoption of next-generation technologies, including AI-driven systems and digital innovation.

Experts concluded that India’s aerospace and aviation sector is entering a transformative phase, with opportunities across manufacturing, design, engineering services and global partnerships expected to define its future trajectory.

IANS