Minister Sridhar Babu Emphasizes Hyderabad's Aerospace and Defence Potential

Industries and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu on Wednesday underscored Hyderabad’s potential as a global aerospace and defense hub, presenting the city’s manufacturing partnerships, technology collaborations, and supply chain opportunities to a French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS) delegation. The delegation, comprising representatives from 60 French aerospace companies, was urged to explore investment prospects in Telangana, supported by Hyderabad’s thriving aerospace ecosystem with over 1,500 precision engineering units.

Hyderabad has become a preferred destination for global aerospace OEMs, including Safran, Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin GE Aviation. French companies have already made significant investments in the region, including ADP’s stake in GMR International Airport and Safran’s three major manufacturing facilities, which feature India’s first aero engine MRO. These partnerships are a testament to the state’s growing aerospace industry and its capacity to host major international players.

Additionally, Airbus, in partnership with Tata, is working on the C-295 aircraft project in Hyderabad, manufacturing key components and subsystems. French aerospace firms Ametra and Aresia have established joint ventures with Hyderabad-based Nucon Aerospace. Local space startups Dhruva and Skyroot are also collaborating with French partners, demonstrating the strength of bilateral aerospace and space technology collaborations.

Minister Babu emphasized Telangana’s forward-thinking industrial policies, particularly those targeting aerospace, defense, and space sectors. He highlighted the state’s MSME policies and industry outreach initiatives, which have helped position Telangana as a leader in India’s aerospace investment landscape. The recent announcement of the Young India Skills University, designed to equip local youth with the necessary skills for the industry, including MRO expertise, further supports this vision.

This delegation represents the largest of its kind to visit Telangana, reflecting the growing ties between France and the state in aerospace and space industries. Didier Kayat, Chairman of GIFAS’s Equipment Manufacturers Committee, praised Telangana’s manufacturing ecosystem, while Pascal Loreau, Director of the Bureau de France and Deputy Consul of Hyderabad, spoke about the expanding cooperation between the two regions, especially in the aerospace sector, and the rising interest from French businesses to partner with Telangana.