India's  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said India will soon be the most powerful defence economy in the world and the Aero India at Bengaluru will give a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarion call of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) scheme with more than 200 agreements expected to be signed at the three-day event. 

The 13th edition of the country's premier air show - Aero India 21 -  is being held in the backdrop of Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) bagging a Rs 48,000 crore order for the Indian-made fighter jets Tejas for the Indian Air Force and their demand from other countries. 

"This is the beginning of a new journey. The association of Bengaluru has proved to be most appropriate. Aero India 2021 will lead to India's defence manufacturing revolution. India is getting great response globally and is being trusted for defence investments," he explained

He said that Aero India would spark a renewed sense of pride in India's defence manufacturing and take defence cooperation to the next level.

"It would also bring together the defence ministers of various countries, service chiefs, policymakers, foreign OEMs, industry, entrepreneurs and academia to showcase, connect and collaborate as well as highlight policy reforms driving India's new defence manufacturing revolution," he said.

Singh claimed that since 2014, the government has brought in policy reforms to push indigenous defence manufacturing with an enthusiastic response from the global business community.

He further said that the world has now started to recognize India as a trusted defence investment destination.

"This is the 25th year of Aero India and the 13th edition of the event. The President of India will attend the valedictory function for Aero India 2021 on 5th February," he said.

Aero India 2021 will witness the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers' Conclave and Chief of Air staffs' conclave for the first time. 

It will be the first hybrid show that means it can also be attended virtually as well due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be open for the business domain while others can witness it virtually.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this time Aero India has 78 foreign exhibitors as compared to 165 foreign exhibitors in 2019.