HAL calls for indigenisation of advanced materials

They are majorly used in strategic sectors

Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) chairman today called for indigenisation of advanced materials manufacturing as it is used in strategic sectors such as aerospace.

T Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL, was speaking at the inaugural session of the ongoing ‘International Conference on Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes for Strategic Sectors’ at Thiruvananthapuram organised by the Indian Institute of Metals, a body representing the family of metallurgists. “The indigenisation of the advance materials is a key to the aerospace manufacturing in India. When it comes to aerospace raw material, be it aluminium, titanium, plastics or composites, there is wide capability gap in the country and therefore industries, especially in the private sector, must come forward to boost aerospace manufacturing in the country,” said T Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL.

“One can achieve this dream by taking strategic materials research in mission mode in niche areas such as electronic materials, advanced high temperature alloys for propulsion systems and composite material,” he added.

Raju also called for synergy between efforts of various governments and non-government establishments in defence, space and atomic energy to ensure that resources are not wasted through duplications.

He stressed on two-pronged strategy to fulfill “Make in India” concept in this sector, through strengthening of the R&D ecosystem for strategic materials and processes; and by augmenting manufacturing facilities.

He also touched on importance of industry-academia association and significance of constantly emerging new materials.

M C Dathan, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Narayana Rao, CMD, Midhani, Baldev Raj, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NISA), Bengaluru and others also addressed the gathering.

Thiruvanthapuram conference includes invited talks by experts in their respective areas covering the broad spectrum of aerospace materials and manufacturing. The participants include R&D professionals, academicians and industry personnel.