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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Air Chief calls for technology roadmap

Special Correspondent

Stresses private sector role in aerospace industry
Government urged to come out with aeronautical policy

NEW DELHI: The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major, on Thursday sought a technology roadmap for the aerospace industry and a greater role by the private sector in defence design and development to help the industry become a major player in the global market.

He was speaking at a second international conference on “Energising Indian Aerospace Industry: New Partnership, New Opportunities,” organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Society for Aerospace Studies, the Centre for Airpower Studies and the Indian Air Force here.

The Air Chief said: “As new technologies are altering warfare tactics, it is important for the Indian aerospace industry to have a strong research and development (R&D) infrastructure, backed by quality players with dedication, motivation, spirit of teamwork and world-class education.” Talking about skilled workforce, he emphasised the need for retaining the talent pool with adequate incentives.

The Air Chief said that as design, development and manufacturing would remain important, the private sector would always find a meaningful role to play. He called for greater indigenisation and identification of co-technology, especially in metallurgy and avionics. “There is greater need for production support and maintaining the economies of scale.”

In the 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.

MoU signed

The CII signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the French Aerospace Industries Association, GIFAS. Lt. Gen. (retd.) S. S. Mehta signed it on behalf of the CII and Guy Rupied, Managing Director for GIFAS.

Mr. Rupied said that though the partnership between India and France in defence was old, this MoU would add value to the ties and “will have the potential to do a lot together for the benefit of both countries.”

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