New Delhi, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian aerospace market is anticipated to soar from over $30 billion in 2025 to nearly $61 billion by 2035, as stated by Union Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday. This growth is expected to coincide with a significant expansion in the country’s commercial aircraft fleet, potentially doubling to around 2,050 aircraft. This development will create substantial opportunities for Indian manufacturing companies and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to integrate into the global aerospace supply chain.
Speaking at the Vortex 2026 event, a joint initiative by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Naidu emphasized the government’s commitment to establishing a robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in India. He highlighted that electronics manufacturers could explore opportunities in the avionics sector, precision engineering firms might venture into aerospace component production, and MSMEs supplying the automobile industry could expand their capabilities into aerospace.
Naidu pointed out that India’s auto component industry, currently valued at approximately $70 billion, along with the success of the mobile phone manufacturing sector, serves as an inspiring model for the aerospace industry. He noted that nearly 99% of mobile phones used in India are now produced domestically, and similar achievements could be replicated in aerospace.
The minister remarked on the remarkable growth in MSME exports over recent years. Exports surged from about ₹4 lakh crore in 2021 to an expected ₹12.4 lakh crore by 2025. Currently, over 173,000 MSMEs are directly exporting to global markets. He mentioned that around 80% of the aerospace sector’s requirements are already met by Indian industries, with the government poised to provide necessary regulatory support for the remaining 20%.
Naidu also revealed that Indian airlines have placed orders for a total of 1,640 aircraft, indicating a future demand for approximately 800 million parts and components. This presents a vast opportunity for the Indian manufacturing sector.
Forecasts suggest an average annual growth rate of 8.9% in air passenger traffic in India by 2035, marking the fastest growth rate among major economies. According to Naidu, the aerospace sector is uniquely positioned to benefit from both a rapidly growing domestic market and global companies seeking to diversify their supply chains within India.
He emphasized that not only are India’s needs expanding, but the global market also presents significant opportunities for Indian industries. Currently, the two largest aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, have over 15,000 commercial aircraft orders, providing Indian MSMEs with a chance to supply components and parts on a global scale.
Meanwhile, Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, noted that India has already become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market. The number of operational airports has grown from 74 in 2014 to 166 today, while the fleet size has increased from approximately 350 to 874 aircraft. Over the next two decades, the Indian aviation fleet is expected to welcome more than 2,000 new aircraft.
Sinha also mentioned plans to expand the aviation ecosystem through the revised UDAN scheme, which includes a budget provision of approximately ₹29,000 crore for developing 100 new airports and 200 modern helipads.
Vipin Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), stated that Indian MSMEs and startups are already supplying aircraft components worth over ₹18,000 crore annually to the global market. He projected that the rise in passenger traffic will continuously drive demand for aircraft, components, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, ground support equipment, navigation systems, airport technology, training facilities, and digital solutions.
Kumar indicated that the AAI would support this initiative by expanding aviation infrastructure and connectivity while promoting Indian technologies within the airport ecosystem.
Salil Gupta, President of Boeing India and South Asia, and Chairman of the CII National Aerospace Manufacturing Committee, mentioned that Boeing collaborates with 300 supplier partners in India, with about 25% being MSMEs. He asserted that the question is not whether India can produce aerospace products—this is already happening—but rather how quickly India can scale up this capacity.
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