Indian Air Force hosts Interactive Seminar on the “Role of Flight Test Crew towards Atma Nirbharta in Defence Aerospace Sector”
By R. Anil Kumar
- India’s defence sector is continuously moving towards Atma Nirbharta, self-sufficiency, to lessen its defence imports and strengthen domestic defence production capabilities.
- Aatma Nirbhar Bharat is an enterprising vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat have come to be identified as ‘twin drivers’ that are providing direction and momentum to the country’s ‘proud journey’ to self-dependence.
- These have become the ‘engines of change’ that are ushering a new India of the 21st Century.
- Make in India or Atmanirbhar Bharat is making India more confident and self-reliant.
- How have we reached here? How has been the journey so far and what lies ahead? Are the ‘twin verticals’ of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat are strong enough to support the dreams, aspirations and challenges of a ‘New India’.
- Today the ‘twin initiatives’ of the Government — Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, have come to occupy a position wherein they are seen as ‘prime-movers’ that sets the pace of the country’s forward journey on the road to self-reliance— be it defence or civil sector
Bangalore, January 12. In a landmark event, Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in collaboration with Indian Air Force Test Pilots School on Friday the 12th January, 2024, successfully hosted a test crew-industry interaction seminar on the “Role of Flight Test Crew towards Atma Nirbharta in Defence Aerospace Sector.” Air Marshal CR Mohan, Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance, an alumnus of ASTE, was the chief guest.
In his address he emphasised the need to comprehend contemporary challenges and align all efforts to facilitate ab-initio hand holding of the industry towards product development, flight testing and evaluation.
The seminar also highlighted the importance of joint efforts and teamwork in the niche field of flight testing and aerospace product development.
Speakers also spoke on the challenges and opportunities inherent in achieving ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in the defence-aerospace sector.
The role of AI as a solution generator to achieve cost-effective solutions in meeting the operational needs of IAF was also deliberated.
Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Projects Air Vice Marshal Tarun Chaudhry said that Indian Air Force is actively pursuing the case for creation of National Aerospace Testing and Evaluation Division under the aegis of Department of Military Affairs.
The seminar opened with a welcome address delivered by Commandant ASTE, Air Vice Marshal Tejpal Singh.
Other Distinguished speakers from ASTE, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Private Industries, delivered talks highlighting the importance of joint efforts and team work in the niche field of Flight Testing and Aerospace product development.
