PM Modi Announces National Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics and Defence in Kanpur

February 19, 2026

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur. The initiative will be implemented under the PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with the Government of France.

The announcement was made during a joint press statement with the President of France, as part of the India–France Year of Innovation and related cooperation initiatives.

World-Class Training in Aeronautics and Defence

The Centre aims to provide advanced skill training in:

• Aeronautics

• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)

• Airport operations

• Defence manufacturing

• Related aerospace fields

It will be a world-class institution designed to strengthen India’s aviation skilling ecosystem, support the growing aerospace and defence sectors, and prepare youth for emerging global opportunities.

Strategic Partnership and Skill Development

Minister of State for Skill Development and Education Jayant Chaudhary highlighted that the PM-SETU scheme is transforming India’s ITI ecosystem and the Kanpur Centre will produce a pipeline of globally skilled aviation professionals.

A Letter of Intent has been exchanged between India and France to collaborate on:

• Jointly designed curricula

• Training-of-trainers programs

• Periodic reviews and exchange initiatives

• Language training and structured mobility pathways

Both governments will also cooperate in aeronautics, space, and related advanced technology sectors, strengthening the India–France Strategic Partnership.