India’s aerospace and defence sector marked a major milestone in February as the government moved key fighter aircraft programs away from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, opening doors for greater private-sector participation and faster industrial expansion.
The country’s biggest defence deal for 114 Dassault Aviation Rafale jets will now see local production led by Tata Advanced Systems Limited and potentially Reliance Industries, signalling a structural shift in manufacturing strategy.
In another significant decision, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program will be opened for competitive bidding, with HAL kept out of the race. The contenders include TASL and two private consortia led by Bharat Forge and Larsen & Toubro.
The move is expected to accelerate innovation, strengthen domestic supply chains and position India as a global aerospace manufacturing hub.
