GANDHINAGAR, GUJARAT – JANUARY 19, 2026 – The Centre for Aerospace Studies, School of Internal Security, Defence and Strategic Studies, RashtriyaRaksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar, successfully inaugurated the Aerospace Workshop today, the first of its kind unique academic-defence synergy.
The workshop was inaugurated by University’s Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor along with Air Marshal Anil Chopra (R), DIG Indian Coast Guard Rajesh Makhwana, Shri Nilesh M Desai, Director Space Application Centre and senior officials of RRU. The five day long workshop will host officers from Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, CISF and NTRO.
Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of RRU, in his address emphasised that today marks a pivotal moment in RRU’s shared journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047, where India’s soaring prowess in science and technology fortifies the bedrock of our national security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary blueprint positions aerospace as a decisive domain of power in the 21st century, blending resilience with innovation amid rapid shifts from manned to unmanned systems, AI-driven operations, and data-centric warfare. PM Modi dedicated RRU as a Centre of Excellence in National Security and Defence Management envisioning RRU and specifically the Centre for Aerospace as a vanguard for Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra, in his powerful address underscored the momentum generated by the Indian Space Policy 2023 and the empowering role of IN-SPACe. By enabling startups to co-create satellites and launch services alongside ISRO—which recently celebrated milestones such as the Gaganyaan air-drop tests and semicryogenic engine breakthroughs in 2025—India is rapidly closing the gap with global space leaders.
The Hub of Manufacturing Renaissance The briefing highlighted the critical role of Make in India in the aerospace sector, with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) anchoring a manufacturing renaissance in Gujarat. The assembly of C-295 aircraft and the production of advanced composites within the state are serving as the foundation for a self-reliant, indigenous ecosystem.
The union budget 2025-26 has provided the necessary fuel for this ascent, with a record allocation of ₹6.81 lakh crore to defence. Specifically, DRDO received ₹26,817 crores, an increase of 12.4%aimed at propelling hypersonic technologies. This investment follows DRDO’s successful 120-second scramjet test, an achievement that places India among an elite group of nations capable of such high-speed flight.
Fostering Private Innovation and Resilience The emergence of private players like Skyroot Aerospace, with their Vikram series rockets, demonstrates a new era of global competition. RRU’s Aerospace Workshop serves as a vital platform to explore these emerging technologies and discuss India’s pivotal role in Indo-Pacific resilience.
A Call to Action for Future Pioneers in a stirring address to students, researchers, and industry pioneers, he urged the next generation to “launch bold ideas” to shape the nation’s aerospace destiny. The workshop represents a collective commitment to technological sovereignty and the realization of Viksit Bharat 2047.
As the workshop unfolds over the coming days, it stands as a testament to the power of collaborative intellect and strategic foresight. By bridging the gap between academia, industry, and the armed forces, RashtriyaRaksha University is not merely hosting an event but is actively engineering the blueprint for India’s technological sovereignty.
