Telangana Targets Global Aerospace Leadership as CM Revanth Reddy Flags Off Skyroot’s Vikram-1

Hyderabad-built private orbital rocket heads to Sriharikota; state doubles down on exports growth and industry-led skilling push

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday flagged off the flight hardware of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 – India’s first privately developed orbital rocket – marking a major milestone in the state’s ambition to emerge as a global aerospace hub.

The rocket has been dispatched to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre for launch preparations, with the company targeting India’s first private orbital launch attempt in the coming months.

Highlighting the significance of the achievement, the Chief Minister said the rocket has been entirely designed and developed in Hyderabad, underscoring Telangana’s growing capabilities in high-technology manufacturing and innovation. He noted that Skyroot’s rapid progression—from its first launch in 2022 to an upcoming orbital mission – reflects the strength of the state’s ecosystem.

The Chief Minister said Telangana is already ranked among the top states in aerospace and hosts global majors such as Boeing, Airbus, and Safran. He outlined the state’s vision to become a global aerospace leader by 2047, positioning the sector as a key driver of economic growth.

Citing export performance, he said Telangana recorded the highest growth in engineering goods exports in the country at 117.9% between 2023–24 and 2024–25, with aircraft components and defence equipment emerging as major contributors.

Emphasising talent development, the Chief Minister detailed the government’s push to align skilling with industry requirements. Plans are underway to integrate Advanced Technology Centres and polytechnic colleges under the Young India Skills University to create a unified, industry-driven curriculum. He added that Tata Technologies is supporting the initiative by training instructors across the state.

Responding to the state’s skilling push, Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana expressed interest in collaborating with the Skills University, noting that industry-aligned training is critical to addressing talent gaps in the sector.

The Chief Minister also invited Skyroot leadership to visit the Advanced Technology Centres in Hyderabad and highlighted the flexibility of the proposed skilling framework to adapt curricula in line with evolving industry needs.

Minister for Industries and IT D. Sridhar Babu, senior officials, including Special Secretary to the Chief Minister B. Ajith Reddy and Skyroot co-founder Naga Bharath Daka, were present at the event.

The development reinforces Telangana’s strategy of combining advanced manufacturing, export growth, and future-ready skilling to position itself as a leading aerospace destination globally.