Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday invited defence and aerospace companies to invest, innovate, manufacture and expand in Telangana. He said Hyderabad already offers a strong ecosystem of global aerospace firms, defence public sector units, research institutions and specialised manufacturers.
Addressing the Raksha Expo 2026 curtain-raiser at Taj Falaknuma Palace, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana could play a major role in strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities. He also said the state could support domestic manufacturing and globally competitive supply chains.
Raksha Expo 2026 will be held from December 7 to 9 at Bharat Future City. The event will form part of the Invest Telangana Global Summit.
More than 90 domestic and international companies from defence, aerospace, space and internal security attended the curtain-raiser. Senior military officers, DRDO representatives, industry leaders and foreign consular representatives also joined the event.
Welcoming the gathering, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Raksha Expo should not be viewed merely as an exhibition. Instead, he described it as an invitation for industry leaders to explore Telangana for investment, advanced manufacturing and technological innovation.
He pointed to Hyderabad’s established industrial base. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus and Safran operate alongside Indian companies such as Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
In addition, numerous specialised component manufacturers form part of Telangana’s aerospace and defence ecosystem. Uttam Kumar Reddy said this combination gives the state a strong position across the sector’s value chain.
The Minister cited the Tata-Boeing aerospace partnership at Adibatla as an example. The facility manufactures Apache helicopter fuselages and connects Telangana with global defence supply chains.
He also referred to the Tata-Lockheed Martin partnership in aerospace structures. Together, he said, such projects demonstrate the state’s growing role in advanced defence manufacturing.
Safran’s investments were another example highlighted by the Minister. He referred to advanced aero-engine component manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, including plans linked to Rafale engine servicing.
Raksha Expo to build investment and export partnerships
Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana has a strong foundation across the aerospace and defence value chain. Research institutions, established manufacturers and emerging enterprises have all contributed to the sector’s expansion, he added.
The Minister also highlighted Telangana’s export performance. Citing government figures, he said aerospace and Raksha exports from the state reached Rs 15,900 crore in 2023–24.
He said more recent figures showed exports of Rs 32,850 crore. According to him, the increase reflects Telangana’s expanding manufacturing capacity and stronger export performance.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also recalled his association with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence during the previous term. He said the Telangana government now wants to deepen engagement with defence production companies and investors.
Therefore, he welcomed industry leaders from India and abroad to explore fresh opportunities in the state. He expressed confidence that Raksha Expo 2026 would help strengthen partnerships and attract new investments.
He also said the event could further establish Telangana as a major centre for defence, aerospace and space technologies. The state’s existing industrial base, research ecosystem and specialised manufacturing capabilities would support that objective, he said.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy attended the curtain-raiser along with Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka. Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu was also among the dignitaries present.
Uttam Kumar Reddy urged defence and aerospace companies to use the Raksha Expo platform to expand their engagement with Telangana. He said the state was ready to support investment, innovation and manufacturing while building stronger links with the national and global defence industry.