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India On The Aeronautical Scene |
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(Source: India Press Information Bureau; issued Feb. 6, 2003)
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(This text is extracted from the Defence Minister’s speech inaugurating Aero India 2003 in Bangalore on February 5, 2003.)
India is galloping through the Technology Age. Today India is acknowledged as a global leader in information technology. In the aeronautics sector it has carved out a niche for itself.
The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) designed and produced by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is acknowledged as a state-of-the-art product. The supersonic Light Combat Aircraft which is doing its final tests to reach the threshold of serial production has attracted global attention. In a joint venture with Russia, known as Brahmos, we have produced, tested and are in the process of inducting the supersonic cruise missile in its all three variants to serve the Army, Navy and the Air Force.
Having opened defence production to the private sector, with foreign direct investment up to 26 per cent, we are looking forward to creating a defence industrial base capable of producing world class equipment at highly competitive prices in cooperative partnership with industry in the private sector.
The research and development work done in some of our defence laboratories is being made available to this sector to begin production. In this context, India is keen to welcome international collaborations in conformity with our national goals.
India’s scientific, technological and industrial capabilities have been on display in all spheres of human endeavour. We have achieved these capabilities through sustained efforts in which the government and industry have worked in tandem.
India has grown in technology and industry base from the days when we were only buying from other countries. Our basic thrust has been for indigenous development, design and manufacture. In fact, over the years we have been engaged in manufacturing our own basic trainer aircraft, jet trainers, fighters and helicopters. We have also undertaken licensed manufacture of fighter and passenger aircraft. During the past more than 50 years of independent India, the aviation industry has grown into one of the largest aeronautical complexes in South Asia.
The Indian industry is not concentrating only on military aircraft but also on dedicated facilities for civil aircraft manufacture and maintenance. In view of the stupendous growth of civil aviation in the country and in Asia, the Indian aeronautical industry is pro-actively diversifying in the area of civil aviation aircraft. Co-production of 50 and 100 seater aircraft is one such project.
Indian infrastructure is not only technologically of the world standard but also one of the most economical. Having done this we could even plan out a strategy of joint marketing. With a high degree of skill and relatively lower manpower costs, India provides an excellent opportunity for all buyers and sellers.
Technology and its sharing is what may well be the future road map to development.
-ends-
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