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Aero India 2025: India’s Rising Power in the Global Aerospace Landscape
Bharat International Security Technology
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Aero India 2025: India’s Rising Power in the Global Aerospace Landscape

Akshay Raina India’s aerospace and defence sector has been rapidly evolving, reflecting the nation’s growing commitment to self-reliance, technological innovation and its aspiration to become a global leader in defence and aerospace technologies. This commitment  found its most visible expression in Aero India, the largest aerospace exhibition in Asia, which  was held in Bengaluru from February 10–14, 2025. With the theme “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,” Aero India 2025 is set to demonstrate India’s prowess in airpower and cutting-edge aerospace technologies, while positioning the country as a key player in the global airspace race. As the global aerospace sector becomes increasingly competitive, India’s emerging leadership is not just crucial for national security but also for its growing geopolitical influence and economic growth. Significance of Aero India 2025 Aero India 2025 is not just another air show; it is a symbol of India’s transformation into a global aerospace powerhouse. For more than two decades, the event has served as a platform for technological exchanges, strategic dialogues, and international collaborations. It has enabled India to showcase its military and civilian aerospace innovations, while also fostering critical business and defence partnerships. With participants from over 50 countries, the 15th edition of Aero India is shaping up to be a historic event, one that aligns with India’s vision of becoming self-reliant in defence and aerospace sectors. In a world where air superiority is a crucial determinant of national security, the significance of Aero India cannot be overstated. The event is a reflection of India’s growing airpower capabilities and the nation’s ambition to innovate, manufacture, and deliver aerospace systems that are at par with the best in the world. It brings together industry leaders, policymakers and experts to discuss the current state and future of aerospace technologies, highlighting India’s increasing contribution to shaping the global airspace race. The Global Aerospace Race: India’s Position The global aerospace race has intensified in recent years, driven by rapid advancements in both military and civilian aviation. Major aerospace powers such as the United States, Russia, China, and the European Union have long dominated the field, but India is steadily making its mark. Aero India 2025 stands as proof of India’s determination to close the gap and become a dominant force in aerospace technology. India’s indigenous aircraft and defence systems—such as the HAL Tejas fighter jet, the indigenously developed drone systems, and advancements in satellite and space technologies—are now being recognized globally for their innovation and reliability. The presence of global aerospace giants, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Airbus, and Dassault Aviation, at Aero India 2025 further demonstrates India’s emerging status as a centre for cutting-edge aerospace technology. At the same time, India’s own aerospace industries, led by private and public sector enterprises such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and several dynamic start-ups, are making remarkable strides in indigenization and innovation. The government’s “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives are providing the necessary framework to boost local manufacturing and innovation in defence technologies, helping India reduce its dependence on foreign imports. The theme of Aero India 2025, “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,” encapsulates the tremendous potential for India to transform into a hub for defence manufacturing and aerospace technologies. This transformation is not just about boosting national security but also creating economic opportunities and forging international partnerships that will benefit India in the long run. Technological Innovation and Strategic Collaboration One of the core highlights of Aero India 2025 is the event’s ability to showcase the latest advancements in aerospace and defence technologies. The event features a range of exhibits, from advanced fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to futuristic space exploration technologies. Live air shows, dynamic aerobatic displays and technology demonstrations will allow attendees to witness the capabilities of modern aircraft, as well as the innovative platforms and solutions being developed in India. These exhibitions are an essential part of demonstrating India’s self-reliance in aerospace and defence. But Aero India is not just a display of technological prowess; it is also a key platform for strategic dialogues. The Defence Ministers’ Conclave participated by more than 162 delegates from 81 countries at the event, themed ‘BRIDGE – Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement,’ serves as an important forum for enhancing India’s diplomatic ties with friendly nations. As the world’s geopolitical landscape becomes increasingly uncertain, stronger collaborations among like-minded countries in defence and aerospace are crucial. Aero India 2025 provides a platform to discuss these strategic partnerships, making it an essential venue for fostering trust, cooperation and mutual growth. The CEOs’ Round-Table, where participation includes from officials, delegates and global CEOs from 26 countries including global investors such as Boeing, Lockheed, Israel Aerospace , Industries, General Atomics, Liebherr Group, Raytheon Technologies, Safran, and General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI), which brings together global and domestic aerospace leaders, plays an instrumental role in advancing this vision of collaboration. The participation of foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in India’s defence and aerospace sector will be pivotal in bolstering the country’s manufacturing capabilities and facilitating technology transfer. The event provides an opportunity to form business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) partnerships that can enhance India’s position in the global aerospace sector. India’s standing as a major hub for global production was set with solidified record-breaking defence and aerospace agreements at the recently concluded Aero India 2025 at Bangalore. Agreements between Dassault Aviation and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the production of the Rafale-M were key partnerships besides Safran’s jet engine business venture. Lockheed Martin landed contracts for the expansion of the F-21 and C-130J, while Boeing strengthened its alliance with Tata Advanced Systems for fighter aircraft components. Edge Group’s drone development and MRO partnerships have enhanced India-UAE aerospace cooperation. DRDO inked Memorandums of Understanding with startups for AI-driven and hypersonic weapon technology, while Adani Defence collaborated on UAVs with Israel’s Elbit Systems. Increased funding accelerated the AMCA program, while Indo-Russian negotiations centered on Su-57 production. Rolls-Royce collaborated with Indian companies on sustainable aircraft fuel and

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USAID in India - A Subversive Influence
Bharat Policy Security United States USA
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USAID in India: A Subversive Influence

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was established in 1961 during the Cold War, ostensibly to provide humanitarian aid and foster economic development. However, over the decades, it has evolved into a tool of American geopolitical manoeuvring, often acting against the very interests of the nations it claims to help. While USAID publicly promotes democracy, economic growth, and stability, its interventions have repeatedly served as instruments of subversion, funding extremist organizations, undermining local governance structures, and advancing ideologically driven agendas that disrupt sovereign nations. While USAID has worked extensively with national governments to implement development programs, it has often bypassed official state mechanisms, choosing instead to fund non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that operate with limited oversight. This approach has created parallel administrative structures, leading to dependency and weakened governance in several countries. Governments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America have repeatedly raised concerns over USAID’s influence, with some nations outright expelling the agency due to allegations of political interference and covert destabilization efforts.

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Beijing’s Silent Cyber Siege on America
China Security
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Beijing’s Silent Cyber Siege on America

Throughout 2024, Chinese state-sponsored hacker groups like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon orchestrated a series of cyber offensives, targeting everything from U.S. telecommunications to Guam’s critical infrastructure. Rahul Pawa On a December morning in 2024, a silent invasion unfolded—unseen, unheard, yet profoundly destabilising. The U.S. Treasury Department, the nerve center of American economic power, fell victim to a meticulously planned cyberattack attributed to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This was no ordinary breach. It was a calculated strike targeting the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Office of the Treasury Secretary—both critical enforcers of sanctions against Chinese entities embroiled in cyber operations and arms deals with Russia. As the sun rose over Washington, D.C., officials scrambled to assess the damage. Anne Neuberger, the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies, stood before the press, her tone somber but resolute. “This was not just espionage. This is part of a broader strategy to undermine our critical infrastructure and economic sovereignty,” she declared. Behind her words lay months of escalating cyber conflict, a crescendo that had been building since the CCP’s hybrid tactics first gained traction. The December breach was merely the tip of the iceberg. Throughout 2024, Chinese state-sponsored hacker groups like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon orchestrated a series of cyber offensives, targeting everything from U.S. telecommunications to Guam’s critical infrastructure. Volt Typhoon, dismantled in January, had covertly commandeered hundreds of routers across the United States, laying the groundwork for attacks on water treatment facilities, electrical grids, and transportation systems. Meanwhile, Salt Typhoon focused on high-profile targets, infiltrating devices used by key political figures, including Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance. Salt Typhoon’s activities, described by Neuberger as “an unparalleled espionage operation,” breached nine major U.S. telecom providers, stealing sensitive data and leaving behind dormant malware—a ticking time bomb designed to cripple American defences at a critical juncture. “This is not about immediate damage,” explained Rob Joyce, the National Security Agency’s cybersecurity director. “It’s a long game—preparing to paralyse us when we’re most vulnerable, perhaps during a conflict over Taiwan.” While the United States grapples with the looming specter of a cyber Armageddon, Taiwan stands as the front line of Beijing’s digital onslaught. In 2024, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau reported an average of 2.4 million cyberattacks daily, a staggering escalation from the 1.2 million daily incidents the previous year. These attacks targeted military systems, government networks, and critical infrastructure, all under the shadow of Taiwan’s January elections. Beijing’s strategy is clear: to undermine Taiwan’s democratic process and weaken its defences ahead of a potential invasion. The CCP’s disinformation campaigns, deployed in tandem with cyberattacks, sought to erode trust in Taiwan’s institutions. Yet, as Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen reaffirmed her nation’s commitment to sovereignty, the island’s resilience became a rallying cry for democracies worldwide. Compounding the threat is China’s deepening partnership with Russia in cyber and information operations. Ukrainian intelligence reports from 2022 revealed CCP-linked spyware embedded in over 600 Ukrainian defense ministry websites—an ominous precursor to Moscow’s invasion. By 2024, this synergy had expanded to include the exchange of malware and tactics, raising alarms in Washington about the potential for coordinated cyberattacks on the U.S. homeland. “Imagine a cyber Pearl Harbor, but orchestrated by two of our greatest adversaries,” warned Senator Mark Warner, Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. His words echoed the growing fears in Washington: that Beijing and Moscow’s digital axis could escalate from sabotage to all-out cyber warfare. The battle isn’t confined to cyberspace. In January 2024, Taiwan’s northern coast faced an economic lifeline’s severance when the Shunxin 39, a vessel with ties to Hong Kong-based Chinese interests, allegedly damaged a vital undersea telecom cable. Weeks later, the Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-flagged vessel, severed cables in the Baltic Sea, raising suspicions of deliberate sabotage. Beijing denies these incidents are acts of war, dismissing them as accidents. However, the frequency and precision of these events suggest otherwise. For Taiwan, already reeling from cyberattacks, these disruptions are a chilling reminder of its vulnerability. As the CCP’s cyber arsenal grows, the United States finds itself in an uncomfortable reality: unprepared for the scale and sophistication of Beijing’s hybrid tactics. The December Treasury hack, focused on intelligence gathering, underscores the need for a robust cyber defense strategy. OFAC, a linchpin in the U.S. sanctions regime, had sanctioned multiple Chinese firms in 2024 for their role in supplying arms to Russia and conducting cyberattacks. By breaching OFAC, Beijing sought to anticipate and counter future sanctions. The broader implications are stark. Guam, home to vital U.S. military installations, has emerged as a prime target. The island’s infrastructure was repeatedly probed in 2024, likely as a rehearsal for disrupting American operations in the Pacific. “Guam is the canary in the coal mine,” Joyce remarked. “If we can’t protect it, how can we hope to defend Taiwan?” As President-elect Trump, takes office, he has vowed to “bring the fight to Beijing.” Yet, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Building a resilient cyber defense infrastructure, forging alliances, and holding adversaries accountable will require a Herculean effort. The Treasury breach is a sobering reminder of what’s at stake. It’s not just about stolen data or disrupted systems; it’s about the erosion of trust in institutions, the weakening of defences, and the existential threat to democratic governance. As Anne Neuberger aptly put it, “Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a national security imperative. And in this battle, complacency is not an option.” (Author is Research Director at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, New Delhi based non-partisan think-tank)

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Alarming Rise of Asymmetrical Terrorism in the West
Security Terrorism
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Alarming Rise of Asymmetrical Terrorism in the West

On New Year’s Day, a devastating attack shattered celebrations in the French Quarter of New Orleans, claiming 15 lives and injuring 35 others. The assailant, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen and former U.S. Army member, executed a vehicle-ramming attack that bore the chilling hallmarks of Islamic State (IS)-inspired tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). This attack, coupled with the discovery of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the perpetrator’s use of full body armour, exemplifies the alarming trend of asymmetrical terrorism gripping the West.

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