Member of NITI Ayog and president of the Aeronautical Society of India V.K. Saraswat cautioned that the aerospace and defence sectors needed to change their trajectories and put more efforts into planning, infrastructure and education systems of aerospace and aeronautical development if they are to contribute in meaningful way to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India and Make in India programmes.
Goals set by the Prime Minister cannot be achieved unless with participation from these two sectors, and the fraternity needs to focus on how to increase intervention of Indian science and technology into growth of aeronautics, Dr. Saraswat said, while addressing the annual general meeting and aerospace luminary lecture series of the Aeronautical Society of India here on Saturday.
While expressing happiness that the Indian Air Force has, for the first time, placed order for 120 Light Combat Aircrafts (LCA) designed and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and welcoming private sector participation in the sectors, Dr. Saraswat said aircraft engine prototypes still remain a challenge for the Indian industry.
There has not been much contribution from Indian metallurgists and designers even in developing thermal barrier coatings or single crystal blades for aircraft engines.
Research and development in these areas is not adequate, which makes dependence on other countries unavoidable, he said, and urged the ASI members to start interacting with HAL and do a little handholding towards analysing the designs and moulding and customising technologies.
Mentioning the IJT (Intermediate Jet Trainer) aircrafts indigenously designed and developed by HAL, Dr. Saraswat said, despite struggling on the aircraft for years, the choices made were irreversible.
“As designers, why are we not in a position to come up with solutions which are completely disruptive, rather than resort to additive innovation?” he questioned, and said the time has come for ASI to actively participate as gap-filler, direction-finder and educator, rather than limit itself to discussions.
Wants defence and aerospace sectors to change its ‘trajectory’
