Hiten Shukla
Towards ‘Make in India’, an ‘Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar’ was conducted by HQ South Western Air Command (SWAC) at Air Force Station, Vadodra on 12 Jul 19. Air Marshal HS Arora AVSM ADC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief SWAC delivered the opening address wherein he highlighted the necessity of self reliance in military aviation and the ever increasing role of private Indian industry in achieving the same. ‘Indigenisation Opportunities in IAF’, ‘Technology Development Fund Scheme’ and ‘Indigenisation Procedures’ were presented during the seminar for the benefit of the industry. The seminar included talks by senior officials from DRDO, captains of private Indian industry and senior officers of IAF towards increasing indigenous content in field military hardware.
The seminar was aimed at promoting indigenisation in IAF, strengthening private-public partnership in self reliance and giving a boost to the ‘Make in India’ programme. During the seminar, 35 innovations undertaken by IAF units in South Western Air Command were displayed. With extensive support from Govt of Gujarat and CII, Ahmedabad, 25 participants, mostly from the State of Gujarat, dealing in Defence and Aerospace also displayed their products and capabilities. Items identified for development by private Indian industry were also displayed and briefed to the potential vendors.
The seminar witnessed keen participation by prospective vendors and proved very fruitful for all stakeholders. It provided an insight to the industry on indigenisation requirements of IAF, airworthiness certification and quality assurance requirements for airborne indigenous products along with indigenisation procedures. It also helped IAF in understanding the potential of the vendors available in the country.