Top 10 Leaders In Defence Aviation & Aerospace - 2021

The strategically important sector of the country, being second largest in the world with a strength of over 1.3 million active personnel, the Aviation industry holds the third largest position in the world. The Aviation & Defence sector in India has grown extensively at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7 percent from 2008-2016 period, reaching current levels of $42.83 billion in 2017-18. The Aerospace and Defence industry in India is predicted to reach around $70 billion by 2030. About 70 percent of the defence requirement, being met through imports, is a huge opportunity for foreign investments. Government is promoting local sourcing widely to reduce imports and hence reduce budget, which in turn will lay foundation to many startups.

Aerospace is bolstering defence sector, contributing to nearly 50 percent of the value of production of this sector. The middle class income group with strength of more than 300 million is stimulating the traffic in the passenger and cargo, with 15 percent growth being reported every year. This is opening a door of opportunities for growth of the industry. Behind this astounding growth of A&D sector, there are extremely tactful and strong hands guiding thousands of employees and leading the companies to path of success. They responsibly arrange structure and provide financing for the defence and aviation products. They have done it by overseeing manufacturing, sourcing, and fulfilment activities for products, leading a well experienced and skilful sales and market  team, leading aftermarket strategy teams, and completing joint ventures & acquisitions to accelerate the growth of the company.

But still, India is at nascent stage in terms of local production in defence and aviation sector. Even though India has got many PSUs which have shown excellent work, we still have a long mile to go. In this issue, the CEO Insights magazine introduces a list of `Top 10 Leaders in Defence Aviation & Aerospace ­ 2021' who have played a major role in the transformation and growth of aviation an defence sectors of the country. The list has been crafted by a team of Industry veterans, CEOs, VCs and the CEO Insight editorial team, thus delivering inspiring stories of their journey and the contributions & roles played by them in the creation and empowerment of a powerful nation.