India’s Defence Edge: DRDO Unveils Indigenous Innovations at Paris Air Show 2025

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will be showcasing India's technological strength at the Paris Air Show 2025, highlighting next-generation aerospace and defence systems indigenously developed under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' programme. The international aviation exhibition will be held from June 16 to 22 at Le Bourget, France.

In a formal announcement posted through X (formerly Twitter), DRDO highlighted that its presence will reflect India's strategic foray towards self-reliance, international cooperation, and cutting-edge defence capability.

DRDO will launch a steller lineup of indigenous technologies at the event that will cement India as a defence innovation leader on the global scene. The most eagerly awaited to be shown is the Astra Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, which can take out supersonic targets in adverse weather conditions. The Astra Mk-I, which has been operational with the Indian Air Force's SU-30 Mk-I fleet, is a quantum leap in aerial warfare preparedness.

Another standout exhibit is the Tejas Mk-2, an advanced iteration of the homegrown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This upgrade reflects India’s evolving capabilities in indigenous fighter jet manufacturing.

In addition, DRDO will display the Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) ‘Swathi’, co-developed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). This radar system plays a crucial role in detecting and pinpointing enemy artillery with high precision.

Also on the plinth will be Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C) — an advanced surveillance system designed to monitor enemy aircraft and UAVs, providing tactical advantage and situational awareness.

HELINA, a third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile for helicopter launch, further enhances the portfolio. The missile adds strength to India's prowess in precision strike technology.

The pavilion of the DRDO will also showcase improvements in the Dornier aircraft under the SHYEN project, with emphasis on increased payload carriage and contemporary avionics to maximize mission efficiency.

India's participation in this high-visibility event is a part of a critical milestone for presenting its indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem to the world. It provides new windows for international defence collaboration, technology transfer, and industrial partnerships with the top global aerospace majors.