MP: New Delhi, Oct.25 (ANI): The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal
F H Major today called for a technology roadmap by the government for
the aerospace industry and a greater role by the private sector in
defence design and development to help the Indian aerospace industry
become a major player in the global market.
He was speaking at the two-day 2nd International Conference on
"Energising Indian Aerospace Industry: New Partnership, New
Opportunities," organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) in partnership with Society for Aerospace Studies, Centre for
Airpower Studies and Indian Air Force here.
In his inaugural address, the Air Chief Marshal said, as new
technologies are altering warfare tactics, it was important for the
Indian aerospace industry to have a strong R&D infrastructure backed
by quality players with dedication, motivation, spirit of teamwork and
world class education. Talking about skilled workforce, he also
stressed on the importance of attracting and retaining the talent pool
with adequate incentives.
He said as design, development and manufacturing will remain
important, the private sector will always find a meaning full role to
play in the industry. In this context, he said greater indigenization
and identifying co-technology, especially in metallurgy and avionics,
is important. There is greater need for production support and at the
same time maintaining economies of scale, the Air Chief Marshal said.
In his keynote address, Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director,
Bharat Forge Ltd, urged the government to come out with a national
aeronautics policy to propel the country's aerospace industry. He also
called for setting up of an autonomous body of all the stakeholders
with a mission-like approach to build partnerships, an innovation fund
to encourage participation by the small and medium industries and an
MCRA acquisition programme to take the Indian aerospace industry to
greater levels.
Emphasising the need for greater private-public sector partnership,
Kalyani expected to see about eight to 10 Indian companies become
global leaders in this sector in about 15 years from now. Frugal
engineering and the Indian industry's ability to use high technology
at low cost and integrate software-oriented technology will make this
possible, he said.
Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, in his presidential
remarks, said India lagged behind in designing aircraft and urged both
the private and public sector to use all production resources to
overcome this challenge. He said India has a lot of catching up to do
with the advanced countries in terms of technology in the aerospace
industry.
In his welcome address, Atul Kirloskar, Chairman, CII National
National Committee on Defence and CMD, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd,
called for an early announcement of Raksha Udyog Ratans (RURs) by the
government. He said the RURs would help create an environment for
private-pubilc sector initiatives to set up global enterprises. He
said in the coming years, the aerospace industry, both commercial and
defence, would require an investment of $30 billion for upgrading
infrastructure and buying aircraft. The focus of the 21st Century will
be on aerospace as it is a major forex earner, Mr Kirloskar said, and
added that it was imperative for greater private-public sector
cooperation.
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, Director, Centre for Air Power Studies,
called for creating new partnerships and strengthening old ties in the
manufacturing sector to help India leverage on the opportunites that
the global market was throwing up. He said in the new global balance
of interest, India was uniquely placed, and had a pivotal role to
play. Air Commodore Singh suggested organizing specialized workshops
to address the problems faced by the Indian aerospace industry.
Lt Gen S S Mehta, Director General, CII, called for inclusive and
sustainable growth, a right mindset of mutual trust and the ability to
walk the talk to take the Indian aerospace industry forward. He
assured the industry of active support by the CII in pushing for a
national aeronautic policy. There is a need for greater synergy
between the ministry of defence, the private and the public sector, Mr
Mehta said, and added that aerospace is the mother of all Industry and
India must find a greater foothold in the global stage.
Later, the CII signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
French Aerospace Industries Association, GIFAS. The MoU was signed by
Lt Gen S S Mehta on behalf of CII and Mr Guy Rupied, Managing Director
of GIFAS. Mr Rupied said though the partnership between India and
France in defence was very old, this MoU will add value to the ties
and "have the potential to do a lot together to the benefit of both
the countries."
An exhibition on the aerospace industry was inaugurated by Air Chief
Marshal F H Major. (ANI)
Labels: Technology
