Guwahati, Feb 26: The second day of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit saw a pivotal session titled “The Skies of Tomorrow: Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing in Assam,” held at Kopili Hall. This high-impact discussion brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to explore Assam’s potential in the aerospace and defence manufacturing sector.
Labour Minister Rupesh Gowala, delivering the keynote address, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to fostering an ecosystem that supports aerospace and defence industries. He emphasized that under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership, Assam is rapidly emerging as a key hub for defence manufacturing. Highlighting initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, Gowala underscored how these national programs are driving self-reliance and positioning India as a global leader in defence manufacturing. He also introduced the Assam Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Policy, 2025, which presents lucrative opportunities for domestic and international investors.
Principal Secretary (IT) Gopinath Narayan provided an overview of the incentives under the new policy, stating that Assam’s offerings are at par or even more competitive than those of other states, making it an attractive destination for investment in the sector.
The session was moderated by G. Satheesh Reddy, President of the Aeronautical Society of India and former Chairman of DRDO, who highlighted Assam’s strategic advantages in aerospace and the crucial role of innovation and collaboration in this sector.
Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria commended the state government’s proactive approach to advancing aerospace and defence capabilities. Dr. Chandrika Kaushik, Director General of DRDO, emphasized that DRDO’s research lab in Tezpur is dedicated to addressing the specific needs of the Indian Armed Forces. She assured industry support in skill development, training, and testing facilities to further strengthen Assam’s defence ecosystem.
Rajinder Singh Bhatia, President of SIDM (Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers), expressed SIDM’s commitment to supporting defence startups in Assam and proposed opening an SIDM chapter in the state. He noted that investor sentiment had shifted positively, making Assam ripe for aerospace growth.
Adding an industry perspective, Sarag J Saikia, Founder & Chief Technologist of Spacefaring Technologies, revealed that his company is already supplying critical fighter jet components to the Indian Armed Forces and plans to scale up manufacturing operations in Assam in the coming months. Similarly, Manash Pratim Kakati, founder of Qoptars, emphasized Assam’s strategic location, which enhances its potential as an international aerospace and defence hub.
Prem Kumar Vishlawath, Founder & Chief Innovator of Marut Dronetech Pvt. Ltd., and an alumnus of IIT Guwahati, stressed the need for drone testing facilities in Assam, which could drive the development of advanced defence technologies in the state. The panel also included Prof. Parameswar K. Iyer from IIT Guwahati, adding an academic perspective to the discussion.
The Skies of Tomorrow session at Advantage Assam 2.0 has set the stage for a new era of aerospace and defence manufacturing in the state. With strategic policies, industry partnerships, and an innovation-driven ecosystem, Assam is poised to soar as a key player in the global aerospace industry.
