By Meet Desai, Director & Co-Founder, TechEra Engineering (India) Ltd.
For anyone in the aerospace industry, the Paris Air Show is a pilgrimage of sorts. Held once every two years at the iconic Paris-Le Bourget Airport, the event is nothing short of a global celebration of innovation, collaboration, and possibility in the skies. This year, the 55th edition of the show, scheduled from June 16 to 22, 2025, was particularly significant for us at TechEra Engineering. As a company on the rise in the aerospace, defence, and automation sectors, we were keen to make our presence felt—not just to witness the future of aerospace unfold before us, but to be a part of it.
Why Paris?
When we first read about the Paris Air Show last year, it reminded me of India’s own DefExpo, though this one is on an entirely different scale. Organized by SIAE, a subsidiary of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS), the event is the largest and most prestigious aerospace exhibition in the world. More than 2,500 exhibitors, 300 startups, and over 150 aircraft were on display. From aerospace giants like Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin to niche players innovating in avionics, propulsion systems, and advanced materials—everyone was there.
For TechEra, the motivation to attend was very clear: to stay relevant in the global market and to understand where the aerospace world, particularly in Europe and the USA, is headed. In a world that is rapidly shifting to newer technologies—AI, automation, lightweight composites, sustainability initiatives—we wanted to be sure that we’re not just keeping up, but leading where we can.
Representing Indian MSME Talent
Our primary goal at the show was to showcase TechEra as a technically competent and globally competitive partner in aerospace manufacturing. We are proud to be an Indian MSME, and we know our capabilities rival those of large OEMs in specific areas. In fact, we are already part of the global aerospace supply chain through tier-one companies in India.
What we wanted to communicate at Paris was simple: India is not just a cost-effective destination, it’s a quality-driven, high-precision, innovation-led destination—and companies like TechEra are prime examples of that transformation.
We are not here to bypass OEMs. In fact, our intent is to complement them. There are several global players—mid-sized, agile companies—who are actively looking to offload some of their manufacturing to competent partners. India offers them cost efficiency, skilled manpower, and strong engineering acumen. And we offer reliability, customization, and dedicated support. That’s a powerful combination.
A Discovery Beyond the Big Names
When one thinks of aerospace, names like Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin dominate the narrative. But the Paris Air Show opened my eyes to the diversity of the ecosystem. I was amazed by the number of aerospace companies innovating in very specific, high-impact areas—companies that don’t necessarily make headlines, but whose work powers the industry.
From specialized drone manufacturers to high-performance materials developers, from advanced testing facilities to AI-integrated cockpit systems, there is so much depth in this sector. For companies like TechEra, which thrive on precision engineering and process discipline, this represents a vast opportunity. We can plug into these innovation streams, co-develop products, and become long-term strategic partners.
Conversations that Mattered
One of the biggest highlights of my visit was the people I met. There’s something about being in an environment where everyone speaks the same language—of innovation, engineering, collaboration—that sparks productive conversations. I had the chance to speak to several potential customers who were curious about India’s growing aerospace manufacturing base. Many of them were surprised to learn that TechEra, as an MSME, already supplies to tier-one companies and has the infrastructure to scale rapidly.
Some of these conversations turned into more strategic discussions. A few customers even spoke about the possibility of making TechEra their dedicated manufacturing hub for certain aircraft components or assembly products. As a listed company, we have the advantage of credibility, governance, and access to capital markets. If the opportunity materializes, we are ready to set up dedicated facilities and commit to long-term partnerships. That is the level of seriousness we carry.
A Chance to Network with Peers
Interestingly, while it’s always exciting to see large OEMs showcase their cutting-edge aircraft and technologies, I found it easier to connect with companies of a similar size and scale to ours. There was an instant understanding—a shared sense of challenges and aspirations. These companies, like us, are nimble, ambitious, and driven by execution. Many of them are already collaborating with larger players, and some are looking for partners like us in India. These were valuable conversations that I plan to build on in the coming months.
That said, the Paris Air Show also provided me with a rare opportunity to meet top management professionals from our existing clients—people we rarely get to interact with in India due to organizational hierarchies and protocols. In Paris, the environment was informal, focused, and conducive to strategic dialogue.
The Future of Flight is Now
Walking through the pavilions, witnessing the aerial displays, and attending panel discussions reminded me of the sheer scale and ambition of the aerospace sector. There were conversations on sustainability, electrification of aircraft, AI in cockpit design, and the role of space technologies in everyday life. The future is arriving faster than we think.
For TechEra, the Paris Air Show was not just about visibility—it was about vision. We don’t just want to be seen; we want to be relevant. We don’t just want to network; we want to build. And we don’t just want to manufacture; we want to innovate.
Bringing it Back Home
Attending the Paris Air Show has reinforced my belief that India has a crucial role to play in the future of aerospace. Our manufacturing capabilities, engineering mindset, and rapidly maturing ecosystem make us a natural destination for global aerospace players.
TechEra is ready. We are building the team, the infrastructure, and the systems needed to scale globally. Our participation in this iconic event was just the beginning of our global outreach. We want the world to know that TechEra exists—and we’re here to make a difference.
