Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday formally invited Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to inaugurate Raksha Expo-2026, to be organised as part of the Invest Telangana Global Summit-2026 scheduled from 7 to 9 December at Bharat Future City, the Chief Minister's Office said.
Expo to combine industry exhibition, airshow and demonstrations
According to the CMO release, Raksha Expo-2026 will feature a dedicated conference on the aerospace, defence and space sectors, alongside an industrial exhibition, live demonstrations of land-based defence systems and a prestigious air show. The State government has sought the Defence Ministry's cooperation to ensure the event meets international standards and to facilitate participation from defence industries, startups and young scientists across India.
"The participation and guidance of the Defence Minister would be highly inspiring for defence industries, startups and young scientists from across the country who will participate in the expo," the CMO said.
CM Reddy discussed several issues with the Defence Minister during their meeting in Delhi and specifically requested support for operational and logistical requirements related to the air show and static aircraft displays, the CMO said.
Requests to Defence Ministry
The Chief Minister asked the Defence Ministry to provide:
- necessary airspace clearances for the air show;
- support to enable participation of Indian Air Force aircraft and aerobatic teams such as Suryakiran and Sarang;
- cooperation to facilitate static aircraft displays and showcasing of the latest defence systems of the Army, Navy and Air Force;
- attendance by senior officers and representatives of all three services.
The CMO said the state government is looking forward to welcoming Rajnath Singh to Raksha Expo-2026 in Hyderabad.
Invest Telangana summit: strategic outreach
The Raksha Expo will be held as a key strand of the larger Invest Telangana Global Summit, part of the state government's push to attract investment and partnerships in emerging sectors including defence manufacturing, aerospace and space technologies. The inclusion of live demonstrations and an air show aims to provide a platform for both established firms and startups to present capabilities to potential buyers and collaborators.
While the CMO emphasised industry and scientific participation, the request for active cooperation from the Defence Ministry underlines the logistical complexity of organising an air show and static displays, which require coordination across civil and military aviation authorities and clearance of designated airspace.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Invest Telangana Global Summit-2026 | 7–9 December 2026 | Bharat Future City, Hyderabad |
| Raksha Expo-2026 (part of summit) | 7–9 December 2026 | Bharat Future City, Hyderabad |
Officials said the expo will host a mix of domestic defence manufacturers, global suppliers, innovation-focused startups and academic participants. The CMO specifically noted plans for a conference track dedicated to aerospace, defence and space that will run alongside the exhibition and demonstrations.
Implications for Telangana's defence ecosystem
Telangana has been positioning itself as a hub for defence and aerospace manufacturing, leveraging its growing industrial base around Hyderabad and upcoming infrastructure at Bharat Future City. The state government views events like Raksha Expo as opportunities to deepen industry ties, showcase regional capabilities and attract investment into local defence manufacturing and ancillary supply chains.
For participants and visitors, the expo promises direct exposure to equipment demonstrations and networking with service representatives, though final confirmations for military displays and participation will depend on approvals from the Defence Ministry and the armed forces.
The Chief Minister's invitation to the Defence Minister follows similar outreach by state governments seeking central support for large-scale defence displays, which require inter-ministerial clearances, safety protocols and coordination with the Indian Air Force and other services.
As the state awaits a response from the Defence Ministry and confirmation of the Defence Minister's participation, organisers will need to finalise protocols for civil-military coordination, public safety and logistics ahead of the December summit.
— Sridhar Reddy, Telangana Correspondent
