- Brainstorms challenges for Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park, New Delhi (Hybrid Mode)
New Delhi. 08 September 2021. The 16th edition of the International Conference on Energising Indian Aerospace Industry sub-themed “Challenges for Aatmanirbhar Bharat” took off on a positive note. It is being held as a hybrid conference due to the prevailing Covid pandemic. This conference, of international repute, brings together Government officials, serving Armed Forces officers, captains of industry (both Indian and foreign), MSMEs, academia and the users to discuss issues of concern for all stakeholders and arrive at recommended action points.
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff delivered the ‘Inaugural Address where he highlighted that the Aerospace industry is the critical part of the Aatmanirbharta and is a strategic necessity. He shared that the LCA has redefined military aviation and that the 40+83 Mk 1A will make the core of the aerospace industry in terms of budget and ecosystem. “The level of automation achieved by the support of the industry has given the strength to act fast, decide fast and react fast”, he said. He conveyed that the Indian Air Force intends to procure 350 aircrafts over the next 2 decades including the LCA to energize the aerospace sector and that all efforts will be to procure from indigenous sources. He stressed on the need to make Aatmanirbharta the most important and strongest pillar of national security.
In his special address Jayant D Patil, President, SIDM shared that the average defence budget, from the last 3 years, reflects a growth of 12-13% and that INR 22, 000 Cr of additional AONs have been granted to the Indian Industry. He dwelt upon the Unmanned Aerospace sector and highlighted that development in this space would bring in a revolution in the aerospace industry which could catalyse the startups, provide boom in the markets and leapfrog indigenous capabilities.
The welcome address was delivered by Air Marshal Anil Chopra, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd), Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS). While describing the importance of Aatmanirbharta, he brought out that how India needs to invest more and more in the aerospace sector in order to become a significant global player.
Sunil Kumar Mishra, Director General, SIDM in his opening remarks emphasised how in the past year the Aerospace and Defence industry has moved through catalytic policy and procedural changes in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to make India Aatmanirbhar. “To make ‘aatmanirbharta’ a success, it is imperative that all stakeholders connect, regularly, through forums and platforms to discuss, declutter and streamline the indigenization process through the prism of commercial and strategic viability”, he added.
Satish K Kaura, Chairman SIDM Aerospace Committee delivered the Vote of Thanks and he brought out that the partnership between the IAF and industry has strengthened over the years. He said that today’s flagship event aims to energies the domestic Aerospace industry and give an overview of the potential opportunities that exist for them with regards to the Indian Air Force.
The Conference will involve 7 Sessions which will be held in Hybrid format (Physical and Virtual) which will cover aspects related to Capital and Revenue Procurement of IAF, the Indian Space Programme, Aerospace clusters, Road map for AMCA/FGFA and Positive Indigenisation Lists.
The Conference was attended by over physical 70+ delegates and 150+ Virtual delegates.
