Hyderabad, Oct 2026 : The Telangana government will soon unveil its Aerospace and Defence Policy 2.0 to attract substantial investments in the defence sector and position Hyderabad as a leading destination for defence research, innovation and advanced technology, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said.
Addressing the curtain-raiser programme for Raksha Expo on Saturday night, the Chief Minister outlined the state's ambition to develop the event into an international platform connecting stakeholders across the defence industry.
Raksha Expo will be held from December 7 to 9 at Bharat Future City in Hyderabad as part of the Invest Telangana Global Summit. The event is expected to bring together global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), defence and security officials, industry representatives, researchers and startups.
Hyderabad to Strengthen Defence and Research Ecosystem
Reddy said Raksha Expo would provide an opportunity for industry leaders and experts to exchange ideas, explore partnerships and showcase cutting-edge technologies.
He described Hyderabad as a strategically important city for India's defence and research ecosystem, citing its established research institutions, industrial capabilities and the presence of key strategic facilities associated with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
The Chief Minister said the state government wanted to build on these strengths to attract domestic and international companies and expand the city's role in defence manufacturing and research and development.
He also recalled the success of the first edition of the Invest Telangana summit held last year, expressing confidence that the upcoming event would create further investment opportunities.
Telangana's Contribution to National Security
Reddy highlighted Telangana's contribution to India's defence infrastructure despite being the only state in southern India without a coastline.
He referred to the Very Low Frequency (VLF) naval radar station being constructed in the Damagundam Reserve Forest in Vikarabad district, underscoring the state's role in supporting strategic defence requirements.
The proposed Aerospace and Defence Policy 2.0 is expected to strengthen Telangana's efforts to attract investments and develop a broader industrial ecosystem around defence technologies.
Focus on Skilled Workforce and Innovation
The Chief Minister emphasised that a strong talent base would be essential for the growth of the defence industry.
He pointed to the presence of premier educational institutions, including IITs, IIITs, NITs, the Indian School of Business (ISB) and BITS, as important resources for developing skilled professionals.
Reddy said the government had established Young India Skills University to build a skilled workforce and upgraded industrial training institutes (ITIs) into Advanced Training Centres (ATCs). He also highlighted the role of existing incubators in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.
The government aims to connect this talent and research ecosystem with the needs of defence manufacturers, technology developers and startups.
Telangana Aims to Become a Major Defence Industrial Hub
Reddy said India should move beyond dependence on imported defence technologies and work towards becoming a global exporter of advanced defence products and solutions.
He called on industry stakeholders to contribute to this ambition and said Telangana should emerge as one of India's largest industrial hubs for the defence sector.
The Chief Minister also urged participants to explore opportunities in allied industries, including space technology, aerospace, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and drones.
Appealing to investors to double their planned investments in Telangana, Reddy assured them of the state government's full cooperation.
Through Raksha Expo and the proposed Aerospace and Defence Policy 2.0, Telangana aims to strengthen its position in defence manufacturing, research, innovation and technology development while contributing to India's broader goal of defence self-reliance.
