He urged the research institutions to work together in developing technology within the country.
“Don’t expect any country in the world, however friendly it is, will part with most modern technology. That’s the reality of the world,” Antony cautioned, referring to the countries offering technology transfer and called upon the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), industries, universities and other scientific institutions to jointly work together to maximize efforts in technological spheres. He assured of the Government’s unstinted support on the matter.
The defence minister was inaugurating at a three-day International Seminar on “Aero and Space Technologies – Success through Global Co-operation” organised here as a prelude to the grand aerospace exhibition, Aero India-2011 which begins on February 9 at Air Force Station Yelahanka.
Others present at the occasion included the minister of state for defence, Dr MM Pallam Raju, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Secretary Defence R&D and DG DRDO, Dr VK Saraswat, Secretary, Defence Production, RK Singh, Vice-President, Aeronautical Society of India, Dr K Tamilmani and delegates and speakers from various countries, industry leaders, members from the Armed Forces and 130 students from engineering colleges.
The defence minister, however, supported cooperation at every level – local, national or global as being absolutely necessary for progress. He also dwelt on some of the pitfalls arising out of it. Without minimizing importance of global cooperation in the area of technological development, he described the ‘transfer of technology’ offered by countries as not being fully A-Grade.
On the delays in the development of Tejas, unlike in other parts of the world where technology development precedes product development, the two were combined in the case of Tejas due to denial of necessary technologies, Antony said. Despite odds, DRDO and HAL handed over the aircraft to IAF in a reasonable time-frame, in comparison to other similar class of combat aircraft in the developed world.
After incorporating all improvements that IAF wants, Antony said he expected the Tejas to be made ready by HAL in all aspects including armament, by the next 
edition of Aero India. Expressing satisfaction on the success of other productions, namely Akash missile system and unmanned aircraft – Nishant, pilotless target aircraft Lakshya and varieties of airborne Early Warning systems, the defence minister said there was a lot more to be done to meet the needs of the Armed Forces.
Listing out the challenging roadmap of various aerospace programmes like Advance Medium Combat Aircraft, Aerostats, Unmanned Combat Aircraft, Airborne Early Warning and Control System, Medium Altitude Long Range Unmanned Aircraft, Rustom and the indigenous Gas Turbine Engine – Kaveri, Antony said that it offered opportunities not only for all indigenous institutions and industries, but also for partners around the globe.
The defence minister expressed his satisfaction on seeing a large number of Engineering College students participating in the seminar, and more importantly included to be seated in the inauguration venue. He asked the organizers to invite students and academia from various Universities in the next edition.
Recently the Indian Air Force on February 5 inducted the first of six Lockheed Martin C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ aircraft into its transportation fleet today at a ceremony at Air Force Station Hindan. This historic induction is indicative of the growing defense relationship between the US. and India, and the India-specific C-130J will prove to be an important addition to the IAF’s special missions capability.
After the induction, US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said: “The sale of the C-130J to the IAF on-time and on-budget is exactly the type of win-win situation President Obama talked about during his historic visit to India last November. With the C-130J, Indian defence can bring their troops what they need, when they need it, and to wherever they are located. And the United States wins too with better defence cooperation with India, new markets opened, and the creation of American jobs. A strong defence relationship is a key component of the U.S.-India strategic partnership. The sale of six C-130J aircraft strengthens our bilateral military relationship and enhances joint regional security efforts between our two democracies. As President Obama said during his historic address to Parliament, ‘as two global leaders, the United States and India can partner for global security.’ The growing capabilities of the Indian military are a testament to his vision of India’s expanding role as a global leader.”
The C-130J is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft that can be used for troop deployment, special operations, air-to-air refueling, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid operations. Its superior technology and unique configuration enables the aircraft to perform precision low-level flying, airdrops, and landing in blackout conditions. It has been used in peacekeeping missions in Africa, for tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia, and to support firefighting efforts in the US.
Meanwhile the US Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke met the Indian minister for civil aviation, Vayalar Ravi later on Monday in New Delhi and both acknowledged the excellent cooperation through the Memorandum of Agreement and India-US Aviation Cooperation Programme (ACP).
The ACP bilateral partnership which was launched in 2007, targets mutual interests in supporting modernisation requirements of India’s rapidly growing Aviation Sector. The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is the lead sponsor of the ACP and funds technical assistance programmes for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The civil aviation minister thanked Gary Locke for the projects already underway which have helped the Indian Civil Aviation Sector as a whole. Both sides exchanged views on how to further this cooperation.
He also informed that the executive agreement for the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the two sides may be signed very soon once it receives the internal approvals in India.
The two sides discussed the benefits of the ACP partnership in being able to identify and executive priority technical collaboration projects. The Indian side expressed that projects in the pipeline such as the grant agreement for the Inspector training programme or TMODT for the DGCA may be given priority.
Ravi thanked Gary Locke for committing to fund a technical assistance programme for the AAI for the installation and operational certification of a pilot Ground Based Augmentation System at Chennai International Airport which will help to improve the safety and efficiency of India’s air traffic management systems.
The two sides agreed to hold the 3rd India-US Aviation Summit sometime during 2011, in India, at a date mutually convenient.
Both the leaders also presided over a business delegation in which business heads of various companies participated.