It has been officially announced that the Aerospace and Defence MRO South Asia Summit 2026 is set to take place on 11th and 12th March, 2026 in New Delhi. The event will be co-located with Aircraft Interiors India and MRO XPO India, which will focus on India’s cabin sector and its rapidly growing defence manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, respectively.
The summit is designed to offer a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to converge, collaborate, and drive the future of aerospace and defence in South Asia.
The Summit, due to take place at the India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), serves as a forum for discussions on the evolving aviation and defence landscape in the region. With the 2026 edition, the event is expanding its scope by integrating both commercial and defence MROs under one umbrella, providing networking and business opportunities.
The MRO XPO India and Aircraft Interiors India shows will continue to cater to commercial aviation, highlighting innovations in areas such as aircraft maintenance, interior refurbishments, and sustainable aviation technologies.
The event will also host the newly launched Defence MRO XPO, which will focus on the rapidly growing defence manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector in India. The expo will shine a spotlight on India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, repair, and overhaul, in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Why the Summit matters
The aerospace and defence sectors are undergoing rapid transformation, with India emerging as a key hub for MRO and defence production. The Indian government has been actively pushing reforms to strengthen the country’s MRO infrastructure, inviting global investments, and fostering domestic capability development. The summit aims to address critical challenges and opportunities in the sector, providing actionable insights to shape the industry’s future.
Key themes and focus areas
- India’s aerospace and defence MRO roadmap:
- Strategies to position India as a global MRO hub.
- Enhancing collaboration between OEMs and domestic MRO providers.
- Government policies and regulatory frameworks support growth.
- Defence MRO: Strengthening India’s self-reliance
- Infrastructure development for defence aircraft maintenance and repair.
- Indigenisation of spare parts and critical components.
- Public-private partnerships in the defence MRO sector.
- Technological innovations in aerospace and defence
- AI, predictive maintenance, and digital transformation in MRO.
- Sustainable aviation solutions and green initiatives.
- The role of automation and robotics in defence and civil aviation MRO.
- Investment and Market Expansion
- Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in MRO and defence manufacturing.
- India’s evolving role in the global supply chain for aerospace and defence.
- Financing and funding opportunities for MRO and aviation startups.
Who will attend?
- The 2026 summit is expected to attract a diverse group of participants, including:
- Government representatives & policymakers: Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence, and DGCA officials.
- Industry leaders & executives: CEOs and decision-makers from airlines, MROs, OEMs, and defence contractors.
- Technology providers & innovators: Companies specialising in AI, IoT, digital twin technology, and sustainable aviation.
- Military and defence experts: Representatives from the Indian Air Force, DRDO, and defence PSUs.
- Investors & financial institutions: Venture capitalists, investment firms, and banking experts interested in aerospace growth.
A boost for India’s defence MRO ecosystem
With the establishment of Defence MRO XPO, the summit will place a special emphasis on military aircraft maintenance, component manufacturing, and repair capabilities. This segment is expected to play a crucial role in reducing India’s dependence on foreign MRO services and bring cutting-edge technological solutions to the country’s defence aviation sector.
What to expect at the 2026 edition
- High-profile panel discussions & keynotes – Engage with top policymakers and business leaders shaping the industry’s future.
- B2B networking & partnerships – Facilitating strategic alliances between global and Indian aerospace and defence players.
- Exhibitions & live demonstrations – Showcasing next-gen aircraft interiors, maintenance solutions, and defence technologies.
- Workshops & training sessions – Focused on skills development and workforce enhancement for the MRO industry.
India’s growing prominence in aerospace & defence
The 7th Aerospace and Defence MRO South Asia Summit 2026 arrives at a time when India is aggressively expanding its MRO infrastructure. The recent initiatives such as lower taxation on MRO services, improved ease of doing business, and enhanced FDI policies are set to boost India’s competitiveness in the global aviation and defence markets. By integrating commercial and defence MROs, the event aims to create a unified ecosystem that fosters innovation, cost efficiency, and technological excellence.
Conclusion
With its expanded agenda and strategic focus on both civil and defence MROs, the Aerospace and Defence MRO South Asia Summit 2026 is poised to be a great industry event. As India cements its position as a global aerospace and defence hub, this summit will serve as a platform for discussions, collaborations, and forward-looking strategies. Industry stakeholders, technology providers, and government leaders will come together to drive the next phase of growth in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Further announcements on speakers, exhibitors, and registration details will be released in the coming months.
