“Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) project will bring in more offsets to Indian industry. Government has taken several measures to make aerospace sector attractive through revised Defence Offset Guidelines and industry friendly defence procurement procedures,” said the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal RK Sharma AVSM VM at the inauguration of the 7th International Conference on Energizing Indian Aerospace Industry: Emerging Opportunities and Enduring Parterships co-organised by Confederation of Indian Industry and Centre for Air Power Studies here on Thursday.

The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff said that due to the shrinking global defence budget, the aerospace majors will be forced to share critical technologies with the Indian industry.

“There is a lot of scope for both public and private sector to participate in the modernization programmes of the Indian Air Force. Indian aerospace industry will have to focus on the developing in-house infrastructure, training and R&D capabilities to energize this sector,” he said.  

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Director for Design & Development T Suvarnaraju said “India is among the top 4-5 countries currently pursuing advanced aerospace programmes. HAL in partnership with Russia is working on Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft.”

He also pointed out that HAL would soon become Maharatna company (major profit-making public sector) from the current Navaratna company. The problems in the aerospace sector are structural in nature and not related to the ownership. One should also understand that aerospace sector is technologically sensitive and highly regulated by the government.   

The Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) Director General Air Cmde Jasjit Singh said that this conference was one of the best platforms for all the stakeholders to deliberate upon the aerospace industry related issues. The conference has covered various relevant themes during the past consecutive seven years for the benefit of all the stakeholders.

He further said that the invigorated aerospace industry will not only benefit Indian Air Force but also instrumental in energising and meeting the requirements of civil aerospace market.

The Co-Chairman, CII National Defence Council & Chairman Samtel Group Satish K Kaura said that there was a need to combine the strengths of the private and public sector to take advantage of the surging domestic demand and become self-reliant in the defence sector particularly. India already has a strong aerospace industry and aerospace component and defence equipment makers have been thriving. The country has a pool of qualified engineering, science and computing graduates; availability of high-tech/precision equipment; materials and consumables; established production systems; a strong IT industry; world-class educational institutions; a good network of aeronautical development laboratories; favourable geographical location and manufacturing cost advantage.   

The aerospace industry is, therefore, set to contribute substantially to India’s economic growth.  

The Principal Advisor & Head Defence, Aerospace & Security in CII Gurpal Singh said that projects like MTA, FICV, TCS, BMS will change the face of the Indian aerospace and defence sector. The big players will not be the only beneficiaries. The benefits will trickle down to the MSMEs as well.

“Our MSMEs are ready to take on new challenges and roles. They are keen to graduate to the higher level. In the beginning they might need hand holding especially for acquiring the latest technologies and capital funding,” he said.

There lie huge opportunities for the industry in the form of defence offsets. “We would like to work closely with the Foreign OEMs having billions of dollars of offset obligations to be discharged within a stipulated time frame. We would also like to play the role of facilitator for the Indian industry so that the best of both sides can be interlinked for the benefit of all,” Singh said.