India's aerospace manufacturing challenges discussed by Air Marshal Dixit

Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit delivered a keynote address at the 17th International Aerospace Conference, shedding light on the hurdles and prospects in India's aerospace sector.

In his address, Air Marshal Dixit emphasized the vital need for robust infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and technological leadership to push India toward self-reliance in aerospace and defence manufacturing.

The Herculean Task of Aerospace Manufacturing

Acknowledging the substantial gap in basic infrastructure for crucial aerospace processes, Air Marshal Dixit described setting up aerospace manufacturing as a herculean task. He commended Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for their longstanding efforts supported by the government.

Indian Air Force's Forward-Looking Approach

Air Marshal Dixit praised the Indian Air Force for its visionary move of awarding orders to the private sector, recognizing the long-term impact this decision would have on the aerospace sector's growth.

Identifying a shortage of skilled workers as a significant challenge, Air Marshal Dixit highlighted the government's commitment to addressing this issue through initiatives like the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) for skill development.

Role of Academia and Think Tanks

He stressed the proactive role that academia and think tanks should play in foreseeing technological trends and fostering innovation in this sector.

Capital-Intensive Nature and Funding Support

Recognizing the capital-intensive nature of aerospace manufacturing, Air Marshal Dixit acknowledged the government's efforts towards course correction to ensure adequate funding support for the sector.

He expressed optimism about the potential of the Deep Tech Fund in the budget to drive innovation in airborne technologies, emphasizing the need for India to transition from being technology followers to leaders.

Air Marshal Dixit urged industries to carefully choose their focus areas in this, emphasizing the importance of patience and strategic planning for success in this capital-intensive sector.

Rallying Behind 'Aatmnirbhar Bharat' Vision

In conclusion, Air Marshal Dixit called upon all stakeholders to unite behind the mission of achieving self-reliance in defence and aerospace manufacturing, echoing the government's vision of 'Aatmnirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).

His remarks highlighted the collective responsibility of the government, industry, academia, and think tanks in making India a global leader in aerospace technology and manufacturing.

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