Air Chief Marshal AP Singh Inaugurates ‘Aeronautics 2047’ Seminar to Shape India’s Aerospace Future

BENGALURU, Jan 4, 2026: The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) today launched a landmark two-day national seminar, “Aeronautics 2047,” at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru.

Inaugurated by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the event celebrates a quarter-century of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas flight. In his keynote address, the Air Chief Marshal lauded the ADA’s achievements but issued a firm call for strict adherence to delivery timelines, emphasizing that timely indigenous production is vital for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to maintain operational readiness in an increasingly volatile global security landscape.

Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, highlighted that achieving the “Viksit Bharat @2047” vision depends heavily on minimizing import dependencies through homegrown cutting-edge technology. The seminar serves as a high-level forum for experts from academia, industry, and the military to explore frontiers such as AI in aircraft design, digital twin technology, and advanced propulsion systems.

Discussions also detailed the evolution of the LCA Tejas—a platform that has completed over 5,600 successful flight trials—and the roadmap for upcoming variants like the LCA Mk II and LCA Navy. Currently, the IAF operates two squadrons consisting of 38 Tejas aircraft, and the seminar features a massive exhibition from MSMEs and PSUs showcasing the indigenous components that have transformed India into a self-reliant aerospace power.