Over the last few years particularly, India is making a determined effort to draw Talent, Technology and Investment in building self-reliance in defence industry. And it is paying dividends with nearly every major OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) taking part in Aero India 2023 declaring intent to support this movement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Not that this idea or effort wasn’t there earlier. India did build nuclear reactors, Avro HS 748 twin engine propellor aircraft with Transfer of Technology from Britain’s Hawker Siddeley, the unnecessarily maligned artillery gun Bofors from Sweden, Frigates and Ships from Britain and the Soviet Union, and Missiles and components from Russia and France. The Soviet 130mm gun became the mainstay of the Indian Army’s Artillery regiment. Howsoever, the country could never acquire enough or much due to internal differences. For instance, late PM VP Singh described the excellent Bofors howitzer as a weapon which “fires backwards and kills own troops.” And he blocked even the not very fast pace of the modernisation.
On the eve of Aero India, press statements have been issued by the US Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Russian Rosoboronexport, Swedish SAAB and many other global players to support India’s Atmanirbhar campaign.
India faces challenges on two fronts, western and both Pakistan and China keep needling India, one with terrorism and the other with incursions into Indian territory in the Himalayas where 24 x 7 presence of Indian troops is not possible due to the extremes of terrain, cold, and icy winds. We need weapons and systems which are the best in deployable technology, and importantly, in numbers due to the huge length of borders. Then, there are threats from the Sea – a historical fact – and India needs ships, submarines and aircraft. Again, all with sophisticated, advanced technologies.
India is weak on critical engine technologies. There are reports that the US Government has permitted GE to share its 414 engine technology with India. This engine provides nearly 40 % more power than the GE 404 used in the HAL Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
The Government is going all out to support the Indian industry, and talent. Young engineers are coming up with ideas and innovative products; one lad seems to have developed a drone capable of firing 600 bullets from air.
Drones are The Present, and The Future. That no human lives are lost in drone operations is a very comforting thought. The Best of the Technology is with the US and French companies, but I am sure India will catch up eventually, thanks to the encouragement being given by the Ministry of Defence. HAL, a giant in India due to the ever-increasing requirement of Aircraft and Helicopters, and other Government entities are going to do handholding events at the Show to tie up with the industry.
India Strategic extends Greetings and Best Wishes to the Participants, particularly the Indian and Foreign Industry.
— Gulshan Rai Luthra
