From Tejas to Tomorrow: ADA Launches ‘Aeronautics 2047’ National Seminar in Bengaluru
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh stresses timely deliveries for IAF readiness as experts chart India’s indigenous aerospace roadmap towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
BNH NETWORK
Bengaluru : A two-day national seminar titled ‘Aeronautics 2047’, organised by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), commenced at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru on January 4, 2026, bringing together India’s leading minds in aerospace technology, defence research, industry, and academia.
The seminar was inaugurated by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who congratulated ADA on the completion of 25 years of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas flight. Emphasising the evolving security environment, the Air Chief underlined the critical importance of adhering to delivery timelines to ensure the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V. Kamat, highlighted the strategic necessity of developing indigenous, cutting-edge defence technologies to reduce import dependence and realise the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The seminar has drawn domain experts, industrial partners, public and private sector enterprises, academia, aviation professionals, and enthusiasts from across the aerospace ecosystem. Discussions are centred on the evolution of aeronautics, future combat aircraft design, manufacturing innovation, and emerging aerospace frontiers.
Key focus areas of Aeronautics 2047 include manufacturing and assembly of next-generation aircraft, digital manufacturing, advanced aerodynamics, propulsion technologies, flight testing methodologies, digital twin technology, certification challenges, flight control systems and avionics, aircraft maintainability, artificial intelligence in aircraft design, and precision manufacturing for actuators.
The seminar will also delve into the future of Indian space technologies and trace the remarkable journey of LCA Tejas from concept to squadron. Designed and developed by ADA, Tejas has achieved over 5,600 successful flight trials, with contributions from more than 100 design and development centres spanning government laboratories, academic institutions, and industry partners. The programme led to the development of several niche technologies, including carbon composites, lightweight materials, fly-by-wire flight control systems, digital utility management systems, and glass cockpit avionics, establishing Tejas as a fourth-generation fighter aircraft.
The LCA Mk1A, an advanced variant of Tejas, is set to serve as a potent platform to meet the evolving operational requirements of the IAF. Meanwhile, LCA Mk II and LCA Navy variants are currently under development. The seminar will feature a series of technical sessions and expert talks by eminent professionals closely associated with the Tejas programme.
India has gained significantly from the LCA programme, acquiring both the capability and capacity to design and manufacture fighter aircraft indigenously. So far, 38 aircraft—32 fighters and six trainers—have been inducted into two IAF squadrons, reinforcing India’s air power with an indigenous air superiority platform.
As part of the seminar, a wide range of PSUs, DPSUs, private industries, and MSMEs are showcasing indigenously designed and developed airborne systems and technologies, underscoring the growing strength of India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
