In an exclusive Interview with Aviation World, Shobha Kulavil, Vice President and Industry Platform Leader – Aerospace and Defence, Capgemini talks about the key trends expected to shape the industry in 2026. Excerpts:

Q: What’s driving change in the A&D industry and how Capgemini is contributing to this transformation?

A: The Aerospace and Defense industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by several key factors. First and foremost is the growing emphasis on customer experience, where organizations are expected to deliver seamless, personalized, and efficient interactions. Alongside this, agility and speed have become critical to meet evolving market demands and accelerate product and service delivery. Safety remains a non-negotiable priority, while continuous technological innovation across every stage of the product lifecycle is essential to stay competitive. Another major driver is sustainability—companies are striving to go green and achieve net-zero goals, aligning with global environmental commitments.

Capgemini plays a pivotal role in enabling this transformation. Through its deep industry expertise and advanced digital solutions, Capgemini helps A&D organizations enhance customer engagement, optimize operations for agility, and embed cutting-edge technologies into their processes. From leveraging data-driven insights to implementing sustainable practices, Capgemini empowers clients to navigate these changes effectively and position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly dynamic landscape.

Q: There are few sectors where drone is playing the role of key enabler. Still, there is a room for bigger involvement. What’s your thought on developing the Advanced Drone Capabilities and give impetus to Simulation training?

A: Drones have evolved from being primarily defense-focused to becoming indispensable across commercial sectors such as agriculture, media, surveillance, and infrastructure inspection. Their potential, however, remains far from fully realized. To unlock broader applications where human safety and accessibility are challenges—continuous investment in technology is critical. Enhancements in sensor precision, propulsion systems, and battery life will enable longer endurance, extended range, and improved operational efficiency, making drones a true game-changer for high-risk environments.

Equally important is advancing simulation-based training to ensure skilled deployment and safety. Leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), immersive training programs can create high-impact experiences that build muscle memory, improve retention, and allow trainees—such as pilots—to practice complex scenarios repeatedly in a risk-free environment. This approach not only enhances competency but also reduces operational risks significantly.

Q: Airlines and Airports are investing huge on AI technologies to streamline operations and enhance reliability of their systems. How do you see this growing as well as easing the entire operational process?

A: Airline and airport operations are inherently data-heavy and time-sensitive, requiring rapid, concurrent responses across multiple systems. This complexity makes them an ideal environment for AI and machine learning adoption. By leveraging these technologies, operators can automate decision-making, reduce human error, and ensure scalability, critical as the industry experiences unprecedented growth with new airports, expanding fleets, and emerging carriers worldwide.

AI-driven solutions can optimize everything from air traffic management to predictive maintenance, baggage handling, and passenger flow management. For example, machine learning models can process vast datasets in real time, enabling proactive interventions that minimize delays and disruptions. In air traffic control, AI can help overcome challenges such as miscommunication caused by language or accent differences, which have historically contributed to operational errors. Intelligent systems can standardize communication, enhance situational awareness, and significantly improve safety.

As the aviation ecosystem expands, manual processes alone cannot keep pace. AI not only streamlines operations but also builds resilience, ensuring reliability and efficiency at scale.

Q: Tech has its own issues as there have been various incidences related to GPS jamming and spoofing which hints for bigger challenges ahead? How the sector needs to cope with such threats?

A: Cybersecurity has always been a critical focus in the Aerospace and Defense industry, but the growing scale and complexity of operations have amplified its importance. Incidents like GPS jamming and spoofing underscore the need for robust, proactive measures to safeguard systems against evolving threats. The approach must start at the design stage, embedding cybersecurity protocols into every layer of product development and extending through the entire lifecycle—from manufacturing to in-service operations.

This means implementing advanced encryption, secure communication channels, and real-time threat detection systems to mitigate vulnerabilities before they impact mission-critical functions. Continuous monitoring and rapid response frameworks are essential to counter sophisticated attacks that target navigation, avionics, and operational networks.

As digitalization accelerates, cybersecurity cannot remain an afterthought—it must be a foundational element of every innovation, ensuring trust, safety, and operational continuity in an increasingly connected aerospace ecosystem.

Q: In recent times, various Indian airports and airlines faced severe technical glitch resulting into managing crisis manually. Instead of easing, is too much dependence on tech over burdening the operational systems?

A: Technology is no longer optional—it is a necessity for efficient and scalable operations in aviation. Over time, multiple technologies have been introduced to address specific challenges, but many of these systems have operated in silos. This fragmented approach can create inefficiencies and vulnerabilities, especially during high-pressure situations. The solution is not reducing reliance on technology but integrating and connecting these systems into a unified digital ecosystem.

The industry is now moving toward digital continuity and convergence, where technologies across design, operations, and maintenance work seamlessly together. A fully connected environment ensures real-time data flow, predictive insights, and faster decision-making, reducing the risk of operational breakdowns. This approach not only enhances resilience but also minimizes manual intervention during disruptions.

Q: What factors will define the next decade of aviation and aerospace sector?

A: The next decade will be driven by completely digitally driven systems relying heavily on AI, but simultaneously enriched with built-in business and industry intelligence, best practices, and lessons learning, creating platforms that are forward-looking and predictive in nature. These systems will enable real-time decision-making, optimize operations, and deliver superior customer experiences across the value chain.

At the same time, safety, quality, and cybersecurity will remain top priorities, forming the foundation of every innovation. As connectivity expands and digitalization accelerates, safeguarding systems against cyber threats will be critical to maintain trust and operational continuity. Sustainability will gain momentum, with organizations striving toward net-zero goals and greener technologies.

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and immersive technologies like AR/VR will play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, training, and predictive maintenance. Combined with data-driven insights, these advancements will redefine how airlines, airports, and OEMs operate—making aviation smarter, safer, and more sustainable.

The next decade will belong to those who embrace technology not as a tool, but as a strategic enabler for growth and sustainability.