Uttam Kumar Reddy invites defence industry to invest in Telangana at Raksha Expo 2026 curtain raiser
Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday invited India’s defence and aerospace industry to invest, innovate, manufacture and expand in Telangana. He pointed to Hyderabad’s established ecosystem of global aerospace companies, defence public sector undertakings, research institutions and specialised manufacturing units.
The Minister was addressing the curtain raiser for Raksha Expo 2026 at the historic Taj Falaknuma Palace. He said Telangana is well placed to support India’s ambition to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities, expand domestic manufacturing and build globally competitive industrial supply chains.
Raksha Expo 2026 is scheduled for December 7 to 9 at Bharat Future City as part of the Invest Telangana Global Summit. The curtain raiser brought together the leadership of more than 90 domestic and international companies from the defence, aerospace, space and internal security sectors. Senior military officers, DRDO representatives, industry leaders and foreign consular representatives also attended.
Welcoming the gathering, Capt. Uttam Kumar Reddy described Raksha Expo as more than an exhibition. He called it an invitation to industry leaders to explore Telangana as a destination for investment, advanced manufacturing and technological innovation.
He cited Hyderabad’s strong industrial base, which includes Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus and Safran. Indian firms such as Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), along with numerous specialised component manufacturers, also operate in the city, he said.
Exports reach Rs 32,850 crore, says Minister
The Minister cited the Tata-Boeing aerospace partnership at Adibatla, which manufactures Apache helicopter fuselages, as an example of Telangana’s integration into global defence supply chains. He also mentioned the Tata-Lockheed Martin partnership in aerospace structures. Safran has invested in advanced aero-engine component manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, including plans related to Rafale engine servicing, he noted.
“Telangana has a strong foundation across the aerospace and defence value chain,” he said. He credited research institutions, established manufacturers and emerging enterprises for the sector’s growth.
Capt. Uttam Kumar Reddy also highlighted the state’s export performance. Citing government figures, he said aerospace and defence exports from Telangana stood at Rs 15,900 crore in 2023–24 and rose substantially after that. He referred to more recent figures showing exports of Rs 32,850 crore, which he said reflect the sector’s growing manufacturing and export capabilities.
The Minister recalled his association with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence during the previous term. He said the state government is keen to deepen its engagement with defence production companies and investors.
He welcomed industry leaders from across India and abroad and expressed confidence that Raksha Expo 2026 will strengthen partnerships and attract fresh investments. The expo will further establish Telangana as a major hub for defence, aerospace and space technologies, he said. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu were among the dignitaries who took part in the event.
