Aerospace industry body pushes to accelerate 'Make in India'

Calls for national and international cooperation to develop technologies

The newly-formed Confederation of India Industry’s National Committee on Aerospace (CIINCA), under the Chairmanship of R K Tyagi, Chairman, HAL, deliberated on various strategies for the aerospace sector in its second meeting on Thursday.

With the increasing focus on achieving self-reliance in defence, some of the key issues put forth during the maiden meeting such as strategy on import substitution, proposal on taxation, collaboration with foreign OEMs, developing supply chain, promoting Indian tier-1, tier-2 companies and SMEs through structured programmes were discussed further by the leaders from national and international companies like SAAB India, Safran India, Mahindra Aerospace, Raytheon, Maini Aerospace, Rolls-Royce India and more.

“Public-private partnerships in aerospace is the need of the hour to propel government’s indigenisation efforts through ‘Make in India’ and become a world leader in defence,” said Dr. R K Tyagi in his address at the first ‘Make in India’ public-private partnership meet organised jointly by HAL and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) at Dr V M Ghatge Convention Centre here in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Tyagi called for national and international cooperation to develop technologies. There is a need to align the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) in Buy and Make (India) Projects especially in Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA), Mi-17 upgrades, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) of the Indian Army and Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) of Indian Navy.

The committee headed by HAL Chairman was formed to create a vibrant aerospace manufacturing and service sector through unity of efforts from not only government, PSUs but also private sector, multi-national companies and research organisations.

The two-day meet is aimed at not only identifying and attracting potential suppliers, R&D partners to boost indigenisation but also outlining the path for the integration of SMEs into the defence supply chain.

Speaking to a large MSME audience, Tyagi lauded the CII’S efforts and said, “The Indian defence manufacturing sector is undergoing a sea change today amidst growing public sector interest in the global aeronautics arena. Through simplification, facilitation, education and providing access to the infrastructure for MSMEs, we will create the perfect setting for future growth.” He added that defining the strategic objective of defence expenditure and offset policy as Indigenous Capability Development is the way forward in this process.

R K Tyagi further addressed key issues related to Indian defence manufacturing sector under various thematic pillars like import substitution, R&D investment, labour cost advantage and skill development. “In order to sustain global competitiveness, creating an export ecosystem, developing MSMEs as a powerhouse of innovation and boosting Brand India is vital,” he added.