In order to reduce dependence on imports, a shift in strategy is needed towards building skills and infrastructure for engineering and manufacturing in the aerospace sectors

As the second fastest growing economy in the world, India’s quest to attain global economic status has spurred a parallel desire to attain a higher degree of self-reliance in the aerospace industry. Undeniably, in the changing economic milieu, aerospace power will play a pre-dominant role in shaping the nation’s security posture.

Anticipating the change and in consonance with the emerging security scenario, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has adopted a definitive strategic orientation in its doctrine and posture, with ongoing plans to create capabilities to meet the challenges and responsibilities of transcontinental dimensions. The civil aviation sector has also witnessed unprecedented growth in the recent past. The requirements in terms of aircraft and infrastructure in the military and civil sector are indeed on a massive scale, with market projections indicating that India in the coming two decades will need $130 billion (Rs 6,07,060 crore) worth of aircraft alone, both commercial and military. However, while India may have created the demand, can the country generate matching technologies and manufacturing capabilities? It is on this front that India will face enormous challenges. In order to meet its goal of reducing dependence on imports, a shift in strategy is needed towards building skills and infrastructure for engineering and manufacturing in the aerospace sectors. While there are positive signs indicating great willingness in the Indian industry to develop such capabilities at the earliest, to what extent has it translated into reality? The process was certainly given a push with the formulation of the Defence Procurement Policy 2006 which had enunciated the nation’s defence offset policy, the objective being to expand the domestic aerospace and defence industrial base through foreign investment and technology transfers, and also to enhance exports. For instance, the Request for Proposal for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft for the IAF, spelling out a mandatory 50 per cent offset requirement was meant to give a boost to the Indian defence industry. However, while the offset requirement did trigger a flurry of activity, especially by the six prospective foreign bidders who sealed joint ventures with domestic industry, doubts and confusions abound not only on the capability of the domestic industry to absorb the offsets but, also, on the modalities of executing the offset commitments.

The novel ‘offset’ concept was also a bit of a mystery for the creators in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) who were trying hard to unravel the various nuances and requirements. It was indeed a period of learning for all concerned. To bridge the knowledge gap and bring together the concerned individuals and agencies, the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) in association with the IAF and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) jointly organised the first International Conference on Energising Indian Aerospace Industry in April 2006. A resounding success, the seminar was subsequently adopted as an annual feature. The fourth International Conference on Energising Indian Aerospace Industry, with ‘Challenges, Opportunities and New Partnerships’ as the central theme, was conducted on November 19 and 20 in Delhi.

Primarily, the focus was on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and the path India needs to follow. Issues deliberated were: Nature, Dynamics and Impact of Aerospace Power; Partnerships in Aerospace Industry; Past Experience and Future Prospects; Impact of Offsets on Aerospace Industry; MRO Opportunities in India; Trends in Aerospace Industry and; Roadmap Ahead for Indian Aerospace Industry. The speakers included eminent personalities connected with defence and aerospace industry, both from home and abroad.

Delivering the opening address, CAPS Director Air Commodore (Retd) Jasjit Singh observed: “The global industry, and indeed the aerospace industry, is undergoing dynamic changes. New advancements in technology are leading to higher expectations from the aerospace industry.” In his welcome note, the CMD of Samtel Group and Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Defence & Aerospace, S. Kaura, enthused: “The Indian aerospace industry, both military and civil, stands uniquely poised today, on the threshold of catapulting itself into the global arena.” The sentiment was echoed by the former Chief of the Air Staff of UK’s Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Sir Glenn Torpy, who very succinctly put it: “India is poised to become a key outsourcing hub for global aerospace and missile companies as it has cheap and skilled engineers on offer.”