Indian Air Force (IAF) kicked off the 91st anniversary deliberations with a massive event showcasing hard combat power and its massive soft power at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The main 8 October Air Force Day events this year will be held at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with flying displays at the Sangam. IAF is today the fourth largest air force. India will soon be the third largest economy. The recent G 20 presidency has showcased India as the global power and undisputed leader of the Global South.
India already is a major global aerospace market. Indian Armed Forces have increasing defence aerospace requirements and budgets. India has a booming commercial aviation market. The number of new airports are expanding. Aviation technologies are always the leading cutting edge, and often game changing. They add deterrent capabilities. These require investments in research and development. Also obsolescence sets in faster. For India to sit on the global high table, it must master some of these.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), other Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU) and private industry have seen rising technological and manufacturing capabilities. India has a clear advantage of higher skills and lower costs of production. The present government’s Atamnirbharta push supports the ‘Make in India’. Time is ripe for mastering new technologies and boosting domestic defence production. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology will support the process.
The aerospace industry accounts for nearly 40 per cent of global military expenditure which was $ 2.24 trillion in 2022. The US is a major player with nearly 30 per cent of military expenditure and defence exports in the sector. They allocate more amount to the defence Research and Development (R&D) than the rest of the world put together. Bulk of the major defence Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are based in the USA. India continues to be one of the largest importer of arms, making it a favoured destination for defence sales. The aerospace industry involves development, production and maintenance of aircraft, missiles and UAVs. It also involves many airborne systems, avionics, engines, weapons and also Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). For India to be a global player, it must become self-sufficient in defence and aerospace. India must take-on civil aircraft repairs and overhaul for itself and the region.
06/10/2023 Air Marshal Anil Chopra/First Post
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