HAL chief moots Indian Aeronautics Commission

Suggests bringing various institutes currently functioning under different ministries under one umbrella

R K Tyagi, Chairman, HAL has suggested the setting up of an Indian Aeronautics Commission and bring various organisations and institutes presently functioning under different ministries, under one umbrella.

“This will ensure greater cohesion, synergy, understanding and speeding-up of decision-making in aerospace- related activities,” he said in his keynote address delivered at the 9th International Conference on ‘Energizing Indian Aerospace Industry’ organised by the CII in association with Centre for Air Power Studies in New Delhi.

He said, it is important to exploit FDI and joint venture opportunities for developing an indigenous industry in India’s defence and aerospace sector. “Also, our industry must have a greater say in selecting technologies for future platform developments and our offset focus should be on acquisition of cutting-edge technologies,” he added.

Tyagi also sought tapping of the diaspora, a better supply chain management and securing strategic investments in defence and aeronautics sector.

He called for the revival of the R&D culture in India. “We need long-term strategic capability to drive design and development in our industry rather than merely concentrating on manufacturing and production targets. This is possible if we ensure the right funding mechanisms for R&D, bringing programme management expertise on a par with leing global companies and make efforts towards skill development and talent acquisition,” he added.

Pointing out that several initiatives taken by the government in the recent months would augur well for the aerospace industry in India, he said, the enhancement of FDI in defence to 49 per cent, opportunities for private industry in defence production, re-allocation of civil aircraft manufacturing to the Dept of Defence Production, creation of a defence technology fund to encourage innovation are positive steps. “All these augur well for the aerospace industry in India,” he said.