Hyderabad will host an air show on December 9 as part of the Grand Raksha Expo being organised alongside the Invest Telangana Global Summit 2026, with Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju reviewing preparations and directing departments to complete arrangements for the event.
Jaju held discussions with senior officials on Thursday on the participation of defence and aerospace companies, infrastructure, security, publicity and other requirements linked to the expo. The review places event coordination across multiple government departments at the centre of preparations for the air show and the wider exhibition.
The Chief Secretary said nearly 30 per cent of India’s defence and aerospace industries were based in Hyderabad, describing the city as a major hub for the sectors. According to the review, the Raksha Expo is intended to showcase Telangana’s capabilities, support the growth of defence and aerospace industries and attract investment to the state.
Officials have been directed to invite leading national and international defence, aerospace and arms manufacturing companies to participate. The promotional campaign will include roadshows in Hyderabad on October 24 and in Delhi on October 29, ahead of the expo.
The government is also prioritising the development of defence and aerospace-related infrastructure in the state. Jaju noted that an airfield strip was being developed in Adilabad, although the review did not provide details on its capacity, intended use or completion timeline.
The expo is expected to include participation from industry bodies such as FICCI, Assocham, the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers and micro, small and medium enterprises, along with public- and private-sector organisations. HAL, BEL and BDL are among the organisations expected to showcase their products.
The programme will include business interactions, buyer-seller meetings, marketing opportunities, memorandums of understanding, startup collaborations and seminars. The government has also directed officials to invite state police chiefs to participate, citing the ongoing modernisation of police and paramilitary forces across the country.
The review did not specify the air show venue, public access arrangements, traffic diversions, transport plans, ticketing or the agencies responsible for managing visitor movement and security around the event. Further operational details will be required as preparations advance. The next announced milestones are the Hyderabad roadshow on October 24 and the Delhi roadshow on October 29.
