12th International Conference on Energising Indian Aerospace Industry: Gathering Momentum

07-08 September 2017 India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

India is expected to spend almost 100 billion USD for its armed forces in the next five years, of which almost 20 billion USD are likely to be spent on military aircraft alone. The Make in India process, initiated more than two years ago, was part of a systemic drive with the stated intent of promoting indigenous manufacturing, innovation and R&D; the Government’s intent has been driving policies and acquisitions ever since. The policy support has been through the revised Defence Procurement Procedure 2016, of which liberalisation of many erstwhile roadblocks and the implementation of the strategic partnership concept, are important mechanisms.

It is time that a review be undertaken of the trajectory that ‘Make in India’ has acquired in the defence sector. While budget constraints remain and decision-making inputs will always be crucial, has the private industry got a firm footing in the Aerospace & Defence sector? Or, are the success stories limited to just the big players and not the MSMEs, who are the crucial drivers of growth of any indigenous industry? Is there adequate interaction between the DPSUs, big commercial houses and the MSMEs, as mandated by the Government? Have the plethora of DRDO establishments and laboratories started producing the results expected of them? Amidst all these uncertainties, the initiative shown by some State Governments to set up defence parks is indeed encouraging.