India Unveils Vision for Aatmanirbhar Naval Aviation by 2047 at Aero India 2025

In his keynote address, Shri Sanjay Seth stressed that recent global conflicts have highlighted the importance of a credible defense force underpinned by a strong industrial base.

At the prestigious Aero India 2025, held in Bengaluru, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth emphasized India's strategic role in the Indian Ocean region, underscoring the necessity of indigenous capabilities for ensuring regional peace, security, and self-reliance. During a seminar organized by the Indian Navy, themed ‘Transition to Aatmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation – 2047 and its Associated Ecosystem’, Shri Seth unveiled the visionary document, 'Indian Naval Aviation – Technological Roadmap 2047', with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi in attendance.

In his keynote address, Shri Sanjay Seth stressed that recent global conflicts have highlighted the importance of a credible defense force underpinned by a strong industrial base. He called upon stakeholders—ranging from defense R&D institutions to industry partners, MSMEs, startups, and academia—to deliver innovative, indigenous solutions to complex challenges through collaboration and perseverance. Commending the Indian Navy’s proactive efforts in formulating the 2047 roadmap, he lauded their commitment to becoming an agile, responsive, and future-ready force aligned with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ championed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Shri Seth asserted that the unveiled roadmap is more than just a document; it represents a cornerstone for realizing India's self-reliance goals. It will guide defense R&D, Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), private industry, and academic institutions toward synchronized, accelerated progress in the naval aviation sector. He emphasized the urgent need to reduce timelines in the design, development, and deployment of advanced systems to ensure India remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Highlighting India’s naval prowess, Shri Seth remarked on the Indian Navy's ascent as a formidable maritime force. Over the last decade, India has emerged as a significant economic power, with its navy ranking among the world's most advanced. The Raksha Rajya Mantri noted that over 60 warships are currently under construction in Indian shipyards, and 39 indigenous ships and submarines have been commissioned in recent years—a testament to the Navy’s dedication to ‘Aatmanirbharta’. He praised the Indian Navy’s "nation-first" ethos and its relentless pursuit of self-reliance.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, addressed the evolving dynamics of modern warfare, particularly in the aerial domain. He underscored the necessity for continuous technological advancements in naval aviation and highlighted the pivotal role of Aero India as a platform for fostering collaboration among stakeholders, R&D establishments, industries, MSMEs, startups, and academic institutions. Describing the event as a "runway to a billion opportunities," he emphasized the significance of sharing ideas, evaluating cutting-edge technologies, and gaining hands-on experience with advanced systems.

Admiral Tripathi further elaborated on the transformation of Indian Naval Aviation from traditional Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles to more sophisticated, technology-intensive missions, including communication relay, electronic jamming, scientific research, and search and rescue (SAR) operations. He noted that the design and development of next-generation fighters, helicopters, airborne systems, avionics, and weaponry demonstrate the Navy’s unwavering commitment to achieving complete self-reliance by 2047.

The seminar, ‘Aatmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation – 2047’, outlined the strategic priorities and objectives that will drive the growth of naval aviation over the next two decades. It emphasized fostering innovation, creating a conducive ecosystem for capability development, and acting as a catalyst in revolutionizing indigenous aviation technology. The roadmap sets a clear trajectory for India to establish itself as a global leader in naval aviation by 2047, aligning with the broader vision of a self-reliant and secure nation.

Key Highlights of the Vision Document 'Indian Naval Aviation – Technological Roadmap 2047':

1. Accelerated Indigenous Development: Prioritizing rapid design, development, and deployment of advanced systems.

2. Technological Advancements: Emphasis on niche technologies, including UAVs, advanced avionics, and electronic warfare systems.

3. Collaborative Ecosystem: Strengthening partnerships among defense R&D, DPSUs, MSMEs, startups, and academia.

4. Capability Expansion: Transitioning from traditional ISR roles to advanced communication, jamming, and SAR missions.

5. Self-Reliance Milestone: Achieving 100% indigenous capability in naval aviation by 2047.

This roadmap not only sets ambitious goals for technological progress but also reinforces India's commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, ensuring a secure and self-reliant future for its naval aviation forces.