Perspective: India’s Defence Prowess | 14 February, 2023

Summary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi showcased India as an attractive destination for defense manufacturing investment, emphasizing the country's progress in becoming a leading exporter of military hardware. Speaking at the 14th Aero India event in Bengaluru, he highlighted the increase in defense exports and set a goal of reaching $5 billion by 2024-25. The event, featuring over 800 exhibitors from 100 countries, underscores India's growing capabilities and self-confidence in the defense sector. Experts discussed the transformation from visual to business appeal and the importance of private sector collaboration in achieving these ambitious targets.

Takeaways

• 🇮🇳 Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India's potential as a leading exporter of military hardware, with a goal to increase defense exports to $5 billion by 2024-25.
• 🎉 The 14th Aero India showcased India's self-confidence and capabilities, attracting over 100 countries and more than 800 exhibitors, reflecting the growth of India's defense sector.
• 🔄 India's defense exports have increased sixfold in the last 8-9 years, crossing the $1.5 billion mark, indicating a significant rejuvenation of the defense production sector.
• 🛫 The Aero India event has evolved from a visual delight to a business platform, promoting indigenous weapon systems and fostering defense partnerships with other countries.
• 🛠️ The Indian government has been actively deregulating the defense manufacturing sector and encouraging the private sector's involvement to achieve national progress.
• 🤝 There is a strategic shift towards 'Make in India' and 'Make for India', focusing on indigenous technology and creating confidence in global defense markets.
• 🚀 India is making significant strides in the aerospace domain, including satellites, UAVs, and advanced weapon systems, aiming to be competitive in cost and capability.
• 🔩 The private sector plays a crucial role in component and sub-assembly level exports, with a need for more support to expand into larger markets and OEM partnerships.
• 🛡️ India's defense preparedness is a priority, with a focus on strengthening the country's fleet and capabilities to address threats from hostile neighbors.
• 🚁 The Indian Air Force is undergoing modernization, with new orders for LCA, transport aircraft, and helicopters, aiming to replace aging fleets and enhance combat strength.
• 🌐 The Indian government is considering collaborations and technology transfers for advanced systems like engines and LRUs to build a robust defense manufacturing ecosystem.

Q & A

What was the main theme of Aero India 2023?

The main theme of Aero India 2023 was 'The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,' emphasizing India's growing potential and self-confidence in the defense and aerospace sector.

How has India's defense export figure changed in recent years according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi?

According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's defense exports have increased six times, crossing the figure of one and a half billion dollars, and the goal is to further increase exports to 5 billion dollars by 2024-25.

What is the significance of the Aero India event for India's defense manufacturing sector?

The Aero India event is significant for India's defense manufacturing sector as it showcases the country's capabilities, attracts foreign investment, and serves as a platform for forging defense partnerships with other countries.

What is the role of the private sector in India's defense manufacturing sector as discussed by the panelists?

The private sector plays a crucial role in India's defense manufacturing sector by contributing to the production of weapon systems, components, and supporting the ecosystem for indigenous technology development and exports.

How has the Indian government's policy impacted the defense manufacturing sector in recent years?

The Indian government's policy has impacted the defense manufacturing sector by rejuvenating the production sector, promoting private sector involvement, and encouraging indigenous technology development and exports.

What is the current status of India's indigenous weapon systems and platforms in terms of development and export?

India's indigenous weapon systems and platforms are being showcased at Aero India 2023, indicating a paradigm shift towards self-reliance and the export of these systems to other countries, competing in terms of cost and capability.

What are the challenges faced by India in terms of ecosystem and technology availability for defense manufacturing?

The challenges faced by India in defense manufacturing include the need for a robust ecosystem supporting the whole system, the availability of research and development, and access to advanced technologies for weapon systems and platforms.

How does India plan to enhance its defense preparedness and fleet strength?

India plans to enhance its defense preparedness and fleet strength by focusing on indigenization, developing its own weapon systems and platforms, and forging strategic defense partnerships with other countries.

What is the potential of India's defense manufacturing sector in terms of exports and global partnerships?

The potential of India's defense manufacturing sector in terms of exports and global partnerships is significant, with the aim to become a leading exporter of military hardware and to create confidence in the international market through reliable partnerships and cost competitiveness.

How does Aero India serve as a platform for connecting Indian MSMEs to the global supply chain?

Aero India serves as a platform for connecting Indian MSMEs to the global supply chain by providing opportunities for these companies to meet and engage with international OEMs, showcase their capabilities, and establish partnerships for component manufacturing and exports.

What are the future targets set by the Indian government for the defense manufacturing sector?

The Indian government has set future targets for the defense manufacturing sector, including achieving a turnover of 175,000 crores with 25,000 crores or 5 billion from defense exports, and enhancing the sector's dynamism, robustness, and competitiveness.

Outlines

00:00

🇮🇳 Prime Minister Modi's Vision for India's Defense Manufacturing

The script opens with a discussion on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to brand India as an attractive investment destination in the defense manufacturing sector. Modi, during the inauguration of the 14th Aero India, highlighted India's progress towards becoming a leading exporter of military hardware. The Prime Minister emphasized the growth in defense exports over the past eight to nine years, aiming to increase it to 5 billion dollars by 2024-25. The event showcased India's self-confidence, capabilities, and the potential for partnerships with other countries in the defense sector.

05:00

🛫 Evolution of Aero India: From Spectacle to Business Catalyst

The script delves into the evolution of Aero India, which started as a visual delight for viewers and has grown into a significant business event for foreign manufacturers. The focus has now shifted towards promoting Indian-made weapon systems for export. The discussion involves a panel of experts, including a retired director general of army defense, a defense expert, and a head of marketing and strategy from a leading aerospace and defense company. They discuss the transformation of Aero India and the role of the private sector in achieving national progress in the defense industry.

10:01

🚀 India's Ascent in Aerospace: From Indigenous Technology to Global Partnerships

The conversation centers on India's advancements in the aerospace domain, including satellites, UAVs, and various air and space systems. The script discusses the government's initiatives to promote indigenous technology and build international defense partnerships. It also touches upon the importance of the 'Make in India' and 'Make for India' approaches, as well as the role of MSMEs in connecting to global supply chains. The emphasis is on showcasing India's capabilities and creating confidence in its defense manufacturing sector.

15:02

🎯 Strengthening India's Defense Export Ambitions

This section of the script focuses on the strategies and policies that are driving India's defense export ambitions. It discusses the Defense Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEP) 2020 and the target of achieving a turnover of 175,000 crores, including 25,000 crores from defense exports. The script also highlights the importance of reducing imports, increasing indigenization, and the role of the private sector in contributing to these goals. The discussion includes the potential for exporting components and the need for government support at the component and sub-assembly levels.

20:03

🛠️ Addressing India's Defense Manufacturing Gaps

The script addresses the gaps in India's defense manufacturing sector, particularly at the major assembly and component levels. It discusses the need for collaboration to harness technology quickly and the importance of foundational agreements with foreign companies to promote technology exchange. The conversation also touches on the progress made in the sector, including the development of platforms like the LCA and the establishment of a helicopter factory, as well as the challenges of maintaining a strong defense fleet.

25:05

🏹 Enhancing India's Military Capabilities Amidst Regional Threats

This part of the script discusses the challenges of enhancing India's military capabilities, especially considering the country's geopolitical context with two hostile neighbors. It emphasizes the need for indigenization and defense preparedness, as well as the importance of the Indian Armed Forces supporting local industries. The script also highlights the progress in the development of combat aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned systems, and the importance of not just importing but also producing cutting-edge defense hardware.

30:05

🤝 Public-Private Partnerships and the Future of India's Defense Sector

The final paragraph of the script wraps up the discussion by emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving India's ambitious defense targets. It touches on the need for further deregulation and opening up of the sector, as well as addressing the private sector's concerns about international transactions and the development of a phased approach to defense manufacturing. The script concludes with a note of optimism about India's potential to enhance its defense capabilities and meet its export goals.

Keywords

💡Aero India

Aero India is a prominent airshow held in Bengaluru, India, showcasing the capabilities of the country's aerospace and defense industry. It is a significant event where international exhibitors and military officials gather to witness aerial displays and engage in business deals. In the script, the 14th edition of Aero India is highlighted as a reflection of India's self-confidence and growing potential in the defense sector.

💡Defense Manufacturing

Defense manufacturing refers to the production of military equipment and hardware. The script discusses how India is moving towards becoming a leading exporter in this sector, with Prime Minister Modi emphasizing the rejuvenation of India's defense production sector over the last eight to nine years.

💡Indigenous Technology

Indigenous technology is technology that is developed and produced within a country rather than imported. The script mentions the Prime Minister's focus on showcasing India's indigenous technology in the defense sector, which is a key aspect of Aero India 2023.

💡Export Promotion

Export promotion is the act of encouraging and facilitating the export of a country's goods and services. The script discusses India's aim to increase its military hardware exports to 5 billion dollars by 2024-25, indicating a strategic push towards export promotion in the defense sector.

💡Atmanirbhar Bharat

Atmanirbhar Bharat, which translates to 'Self-reliant India,' is a policy initiative by the Indian government to encourage self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on imports. The script refers to this initiative in the context of defense manufacturing and exports.

💡MSMEs

MSMEs stands for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. These businesses are crucial for economic growth and job creation. The script mentions the role of MSMEs in the defense sector, particularly in the context of Aero India, where they connect to the global supply chain and showcase their capabilities.

💡Defense Partnerships

Defense partnerships refer to collaborative agreements or alliances between countries for the purpose of defense and security. The script discusses how India is forging such partnerships with other countries, which is significant for the growth of its defense manufacturing sector.

💡Indigenization

Indigenization is the process of making something native or domestic. In the script, the term is used to describe India's efforts to replace imported defense equipment with domestically produced alternatives, thereby strengthening its self-reliance in defense.

💡Fleet Strengthening

Fleet strengthening refers to the enhancement of a country's military aircraft fleet. The script discusses the need for India to strengthen its fleet to maintain its defense capabilities, especially considering the decommissioning of older aircraft and the geopolitical context.

💡Private Sector Participation

Private sector participation in the defense industry involves the involvement of non-state-owned businesses in the production of defense equipment. The script highlights the role of the private sector in contributing to India's defense exports and the need for further collaboration with the public sector to achieve ambitious targets.

💡Deregulation

Deregulation refers to the reduction or elimination of government control over a particular industry. In the context of the script, deregulation in the defense manufacturing sector is discussed as a means to encourage growth, innovation, and private sector involvement.

Highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi positions India as a leading exporter of military hardware, aiming to increase defense exports to $5 billion by 2024-25.

Aero India 2023, with over 100 countries and 800 exhibitors, showcases India's self-confidence and capabilities in the defense sector.

The defense sector in India has seen a sixfold increase in exports, crossing $1.5 billion, rejuvenated by the last eight to nine years of policy changes.

Aero India is not just an air show but a business platform for foreign manufacturers and a reflection of India's growing defense potential.

Retired Air Vice Marshall PK Srivastava discusses the transformation of Aero India from a visual delight to a business and technological showcase.

The Indian government's policies have encouraged the private sector, aiming to build weapon systems domestically for both domestic use and export.

India's defense industry is focusing on indigenization, aiming to reduce imports and increase self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

The private sector's role in India's defense industry is emphasized, with a focus on component and sub-assembly level exports.

India's defense exports are currently dominated by components rather than platforms, indicating a need to push for higher value exports.

The Indian Air Force's fleet strength is a concern, with a need to replace aging aircraft and increase the number of squadrons.

The LCA program is crucial for the Indian Air Force's future, with orders for 324 aircraft of various marks to be fulfilled on time.

The need for collaboration with global OEMs is emphasized to harness technology and build an ecosystem for defense manufacturing.

The Indian defense industry is looking to fill gaps in major assembly and component levels to become more self-reliant.

The government is focusing on enhancing the capabilities of the defense sector, including the public and private sectors working together.

The discussion highlights the importance of not just importing technology but also developing it indigenously for long-term sustainability.

The Indian defense industry is encouraged to move from import substitution to export-oriented growth, targeting the global market.

The panelists agree that while India has made progress, there is a need for continued effort to achieve the ambitious targets set by the government.

Transcripts

[Music]

thank you

namaskar viewers hello and welcome to

Sunset TV I am tinaja you're watching

perspective prime minister Narendra Modi

showcased India as an attractive

destination for investment in the

defense manufacturing sector saying the

country is moving towards becoming one

of the leading exporters of military

hardware globally inaugurating the 14th

Edition of Aero India at the alahanka

Air Force Station in Bengaluru the Prime

Minister spoke about how the defense

sector has rejuvenated its defense

production sector in the last eight to

nine years defense exports have

increased six times crossing the figure

of one and a half billion dollars

looking now to further increase the

export of military hardware to 5 billion

dollars by 2024-25 the Prime Minister

also described Aero India as an example

of India's growing potential saying it's

not only a show but a reflection of

India's self-confidence and capabilities

being held under the theme the runway to

a billion opportunities Aero India 2023

is seeing the participation of over 100

countries more than 800 exhibitors from

India and abroad are taking part in the

so what's the focus this time the

significance of the event in India is

growing progress and potential our

defense Partnerships with other

countries and much more in this edition

of perspective within illustrious panels

let me Begin by introducing them to you

with me in the studio is Lieutenant

General week is success I beg your

pardon retired former director General

Corps of army defense he's also a

distinguished fellow bif and Claus

General saxena welcome to the program

delighted to have you with us in the

studio and joining us virtually is air

Vice Marshall PK srivastava retired he's

a defense expert and Mr pavitra goyal

he's head marketing and strategy lohia

Aerospace and defense thank you

gentlemen for joining us on the program

as well uh AVM srivastav if I may begin

the program today with you you know air

shows and the and the Aero India show is

always a treat to the eyes so this time

also the inaugural show we were all

mesmerized Spellbound by the mid-air

maneuvering that was taking place by the

newer formations that we got to see but

what's in three and what I I want to

understand from you is what began as

only an air show something that was you

know meant to attract a lot of viewers

and also to show the capabilities of

India's defense sector how it's been you

know it's grown in significance so much

so that the prime minister in his speech

described Aero India as a launch pad for

India's growing progress for India's

growing potential and capabilities so as

someone who's been witnessing the Aero

India show since 1996 when it was you

know conceptualized how do you see that

transformation to today when the event

assumes so much significance

you know you've said it absolutely in

the app drawers that in 1996 is it was

more of a visual Delight for the viewers

that something like this is happening in

our own country and then it became the

business Delight for the foreign

manufacturers who wanted to sell their

Aerospace assets to our country and now

I see a great emphasis on our own weapon

systems being showcased I think that's a

paradigm shift in this particular

version of the uh Aero India in 2023 and

that takes us to a great kind of deep

forward as a country we are concerned

because if you want to sell plant

platforms you ought to harness a lot lot

of things you have to have a great

ecosystem supporting the whole system

because we have been I have been in this

industry as as I was also director

production is limited so I know what we

used to do and what we have trying to do

now we used to assemble Things based on

the same in lockdown kit versions and

that was not the technology harnessing

it was the production process harnessing

so it became a good platform but it was

then limited only up to the public

sector because the orders used to go on

nomination basis and they were mostly

harvested by the public sector public

sector was the beneficiary but then

unless you really rejuvenate the private

sector along with it we were convinced

that we cannot achieve that National

progress in this sector and that's what

was done with the policies with the new

government but it came in we came up

with a static partnership policy which

changed our dap it became uh acquisition

uh instead of being a procurement

procedure acquisition procedure

that the capacity building in the sense

that we want to now build these

Platforms in our own country of of

course we like any other country who

whosoever takes the charter of going on

this trajectory will face lot of

challenges in terms of ecosystem in

terms of r d availability in terms of

Technology availability we are also

facing the same but I see the green

shoots not only the green shoots I would

say green plants coming out of it and if

you really see from the Spectrum the war

fighting Spectrum if you see in the

Aerospace domain whether it is about

satellites is about which vehicles that

is space or it is about the unmanned air

vehicles in terms of combat surveillance

and entrance Gathering or you come to

air to ground to air different systems

or you come to uh rudram 3 which is anti

uh you know radiation kind of thing

where you can destroy the air defense

network of the enemy with all that's

coming in place as for the Aerospace

domain is concerned we are trying to put

a mark in each one of these layers and

that is a absolute Delight to see so if

you really ask me probably next time

we'll ask so the answer is that yes from

visual Delight the trajectory was to

business Delight for the foreign

manufacturers and now we want to make

that Delight for our manufacturers that

it showcases their equipment their

weapon systems which can be bought by uh

other countries and which can really

compete in terms of time and capability

sorry cost and capability you're right

and you know the thrust General success

that was clearly visible so the

government has been walking the talk so

in terms of uh transforming it in from a

visual Delight to a business Delight in

terms of deregulating the sector of

Defense manufacturing bringing in the

private sector in a big way to

contribute and Now setting newer targets

so before I go to you know Mr goal to

understand the role of the private

sector and the kind of role that they

can play uh in the times to come let me

understand from you as a veteran

yourself you've seen the kind of change

that has happened over the decades so

the thrust on Atman

that there have been a lot of efforts we

are now Manufacturing in a big way not

that we were not doing it earlier but

perhaps the fact that we are now

creating in India and creating for other

countries also so we are forging defense

Partnerships with a lot of other

countries how do you see that as a

success story for India's defense

manufacturing sector uh to answer your

question I will use the word used by the

Prime Minister yesterday three words he

used

he says

referring to the aircraft soaring high

number two thing he said prathaksh Kim

pramanam whatever is in front of you we

don't require to prove it and thirdly

he's talked about the state of the

nation and the state of the defense

industry and compared it with an

aircraft there is this government is

like this aircraft combat pilot which

thinks fast which thinks far and which

takes quick decisions

now connecting this and make in India to

Aero India 2023

actually speaking this around here 2023

is actually standing on the Twin Anchor

of making India make for Indian

what is the opportunity today there are

two opportunities first is to showcase

the indigenous technology number two

make worthwhile partnership

show to the world show to the world our

growth journey in defense and Aerospace

sector

to talk about is to create a confidence

in the other guy that we are becoming

self-reliant for which that defense

minister use this word why India why

India he said why India because of four

or five reasons this is why India

because India is a reliable partner not

only in terms of our developments and

defense and Aerospace industry but the

stability of the country and the

government number one number two an

honest intent software there are no

scams there are no Kickbacks in your

defense deal

number three best Innovation you will

get and fourthly cost competitiveness

cost competitiveness in India is one

and

make in India is our msme sector you

just not talked about

700 more than 700 Indian companies

exhibitors which are available there

most many of them are msab not to

connect them to a global supply chain is

a very huge task this is what Arrow

India is doing in a very very big way

that it is connecting the msmes to

Global Supply they will talk to very big

players they require certain there are

certain companies like Zen Technologies

limited they make simulators now they

can connect with the big players do you

want for your Main Equipment the

simulator support which we can do

because then technology is the front

runner Indian front runner in simulation

compact simulation and this so you know

when the Prime Minister says that Aero

India is a reflection of India's

aspirations it is a launch pad for our

growing potential of our growing

capabilities what is the strength that

he is referring to what is the best that

India has to offer to other countries in

terms of Defense in terms of being a

huge defense exporter we are uh no we

really not call yourself defense

exporter but uh I will start with there

was a document in third August 2020

government released a document called

the defense production and Export

promotion policy dpep write in account

2020 they set up a Target that the

defense manufacturing industry will

achieve a turnover of 175 000 crores

which will include 25 000 crores or 5

billion of Defense exports that is a

target which are set also that set

Target wall that will make the defense

manufacturing Industries Dynamic robust

and competitive also reduce import

Hawaii we reduced import by the positive

indigenization list by Banning exports

of many of the Indus many of the items

secondly indigenizing many are the items

the same time how are we increasing our

Expo we are getting today only the news

is that today LCA Argentina is one of

the countries looking for an order for

LCA I am trying to say is not only LCA

it is brahmo it is Akash it is

communication system it's electronic

office so many good things are available

for export by Indians and Indian defense

industry now that portion

how as The Air Marshal was just talking

about in our defense budget this time

2023 5.75 lakh crore is what has been

allocated do you know out of this 70 has

been allocated to domestic industry it

is this muscle which we are

strengthening strengthening is not only

just different it is it is the

microchips it is weapon systems it is

platform it is not only Army platform it

is therefore what about LCA LCM mark one

one a as also R2 yes there are delays

but at the same time there are things

what about Akash weapon system what

about qrsm what about be sure so many

weapon systems ad equipment are in the

pipeline I don't say we have arrived I

don't say we have right we are on our

way and we are making good progress

absolutely and this progress has been

possible because we've joined hands with

the private sector it's it's a journey

and private sector has become a core

passenger with the government Mr goyal

so let me bring in you into the

discussion now to understand of course

the private sector has uh uh contributed

in a big way to the one and a half

billion number that the Prime Minister

spoke about the next big Target that he

has set for 2024-25 a very limited time

that talks about 5 billion so defense

manufacturing sector has seen a Philip

but it has to grow by Leaps and Bounds

further in the times to come by at least

20 24 25 we need to achieve the target

of 5 billion so if if I may understand

from you how the private sector is going

to contribute to this what are your

expectations now uh towards achieving

this target what would your reaction be

so uh our compliments to the Prime

Minister and The Honorable RM for

encouraging us and we've seen changes

we've seen the impact we've seen the

kind of exports that we are able to do

today and if you look at we've not

really started the exports but you look

if you do a breakdown of the exports

you'll notice a platforms are not being

exported components is the major value

which is what msummies like ourselves do

right uh and uh second we are not really

exporting to cost sensitive countries

but you're exporting to countries who

have mature uh you know Legacy based

Aerospace and defense ecosystems so we

export a lot to the to the American

Market the Israeli Market the French

Market the German market so these are

countries who have had a legacy of

Aerospace and defense manufacturing for

almost a century and yet we are able to

do that through of course the support of

the government uh the I think one area

that uh is not as let's say fun or as uh

dramatic is doing it at I I at the

component level which is where we need a

little more push we need more a little

more support to the government private

sector component level and sub-assembly

level exports where inherently we become

contract manufacturers for uh large

Global oems is where a certain model

push uh is still require a platforms are

very difficult to sell they are Geo

strategic requirements they are politics

player they are cost Effectiveness play

all of that and also from our own

platform requirements from our own

Services is large enough that platform

level requirements can be failed by uh

by the Indian industry uh both public

sector and private sector for our Armed

Forces as well but for a component level

manufacturer for the msnbs that support

this Upstream OEM vendors we need a lot

more supported expanding our markets and

like uh the general fed and the

Ambassador said uh that bringing in that

ecosystem closer arrows uh Air India and

I'm just coming back from the show of

the is that we are seeing a lot of

energy from both global companies and

Indian company who are looking at

sourcing from us this is a fantastic

platform for us to meet all of them and

you're able to see that energy that now

the sector has picked up both from a

focus of in India

and moving from import substitution to

export light growth so I think that's

where the target of 5 billion is um is

uh we're excited to achieve that for the

country and the prime minister absolute

is a huge opportunity there for the

defense manufacturers and the exporters

and also towards achieving the target

but uh avim shivaskar the question here

again is about uh enhancing our own

capabilities so beyond what we saw in

the skies beyond what the Prime Minister

says the realistic question would be and

something that uh we are all concerned

about is uh how are we going to increase

our depleting Fleet how are we going to

strengthen ourselves in a way wherein we

are not affected by Wars in any part of

the country or logistical supply chain

disruptions or any any such disruption

that may happen because of the

multi-portal order that that we are

witnessing

all right Dina if I have to explain as

to where we are missing and where we are

hitting I need to explain that the

defense manufacturing particularly is an

arrow India show so I'll talk about the

Aerospace industry we are in four parts

the final is known as file and assembly

level where weapon systems are

manufactured be it an aircraft UAV or a

missile system then next comes the lrus

or the major assembly level where uh we

need to make like Arrow engines like

lrus or various aircraft where the

technology resides actually technology

resides in this LR used and the and the

arrow engines now next one is component

level component level where uh poitra

said that we got uh we are exporting

components and we are doing earlier also

that's where we have some presence then

there is the last level which is called

the materials level at materials levels

or missing levels are materials level

company level we are doing something but

major assembly level where we make Arrow

engines we make lrus for the various

aircraft have all their lrus we had a

gap so when we do the Gap analysis this

is where we need to fit in and that's

what the Prime Minister said we need to

collaborate whether it comes to an arrow

engine or it comes to lru for uh for a

Radars in the aircraft or for our weapon

systems we need to collaborate to get

the technology harness faster than what

it is and we use the purchasing power

with General saxara mentioned to live

these companies to share their

Technologies and further for sharing the

Technologies the governments have to

have foundational agreements which have

been done also with the us and we got

that kind of agreements foundational

agreements which will promote this kind

of exchange of technology so I guess not

as we March further and March along with

the uh our private sector we will find

that we are filling up this gap which is

there faster than we ever imagined and

you know the c295 going to Tata

Aerospace limited is is one of the very

important Beginnings from there the

collaboration occurs there's a lot of

talk going about the arrogen

collaboration either with saffron G or

the Honeywell if that happens then we

make our own kaveri engine can be

modeled at the moment for LC Mark II we

are going to take g414 so all these

things have to fall in agile saxena also

mentioned we have not arrived will not

say we arrived but here they are very

much and we can really showcase that we

can be there and we can really arrive in

the time frame which is given by The

Honorable prime minister if you really

see let me start from the space for

space we got our own satellites our own

launch Vehicles come down we got

Transport Aircraft which we are doing

ourselves whether it's dornier or now

c295 or anyone helicopters then you come

to combat aircraft combat aircraft which

is the top the technology the uh General

prime minister about

uchai that is the Zenith of the

technology which needs to go into

fighter aircraft to make it do what it

does that's why we got LCA LC is

focusing in a very methodical fashion if

we have Mark II The Mark II is going to

have all kinds of weapon systems which

will be indigenous whether it be our own

air-to-air missile whether it be air to

ground missile if that kind of system we

create in our own in industry the

industry ecosystem will automatically

will lap it up and all the complement

manufacturers all the lru manufacturers

all the engine air manufacturers get all

created established and that will happen

in all countries let me tell you Tina in

all countries whether it was U.S or

France or it was in China the first

orders to the local Industries go from

their own Armed Forces because that is

what the sustenance is that is what

industry talks about hand holding by the

satri services if Indian Air Force

Indian Navy and India Army holds their

hands I'm pretty sure which we have

learned as veterans we have learned we

ought to do because in times of

at least shared India of the dubious

distinction of being one of the largest

arms importers and by enhancing our

exports to other countries by forging

defense Partnerships we are trying to

get rid of that distinction but the

question here is realistically we have

two hostile neighbors and the threat is

relatively much higher than other

countries so our defense preparedness is

also something that has to uh be of that

much importance so indigenization

along with defense preparedness so how

challenging is that for India especially

when we are logged in a border standoff

with a country like China yeah you

rightly said that like I always say try

to see a picture your audience deserves

to see the picture clearly besides the

Thunder and the festivities and the show

of Arrow India the reality is that there

are certain things which we can

indigenize there are certain things

which we need to import but the bottom

line is we need to build our capability

today now Aero India talks about the air

power today our Indian Air Force is

in the world but there are certain

realities which the audience and the

government at large must be aware and

they are aware of course but I I need to

say that out our Fleet as you saw the

first Arrow show today first of the

acrobatics yesterday as 230

MiG-29

Mirage 2000 LCA

followed by mig-27 jaguar and mig-21

this is our Fleet our Fleet needs to

have certain strengths somebody saw 39

and a half Squadron 42 Squad and 50s

I'll not go in the number game it is all

classified I will say certain things are

required to make sure that this Fleet

remains in a strength to take on the two

hostile members which you just talked

about now uh just to tell you the truth

big 23 is gone make 25 is gone make 27

is on his way out and make 21 last 100

Bisons are left which will also go what

will happen the Indian Air Force combat

strength of Fighter Squadron which they

even was just mentioning is going down

what should happen today for the country

the LCA program the LCA program must

catch up in time and space LCA has got

three version LCA Mark 1 1A and Mark our

government Indian Air Force has given

orders for 324 40 of Mark Mark 1 83 of

Mark 1A and 321 of Mark II now I do not

want to go into each one of them to say

I will just say that in Mark 1 this

program is on for 30 years in 2015 the

first 7th January was the first aircraft

given for LCA mark one it was delayed

for a long time now also it has taken

four years for the first quarter to be

built up I won't go into the specific

details similarly Mark 1 is slightly

delayed by two to three years Mark 2 and

Mark two they must catch up in time and

space to build our capability

similarly the government is also trying

to build the transport Fleet you are

aware that Avro is being replaced by c23

to which the AVM just talked about c295

that must not get delayed our complete

helicopter Fleet not only I'm not

talking about Apaches and chinos which

have to come I'm talking of the alh over

alh our Ali drove it's um it's a armed

version rudra the light combat

helicopter which you saw yesterday

prachand then you saw that light utility

helicopter and yesterday only I think

sixth February the Prime Minister

inaugurated a helicopter Factory at

tumakara in Karnataka now all this

helicopter program is is geared up to

match our helicopter Fleet similarly

unmanned systems we are not looking at

their U.S only that Mark MQ-9 Reaper

will come 10 10 10. build your own

capabilities over a period of time gone

are the days clearly and the thrust on

this has been of the Prime Minister also

the defense minister also Mr goyal so

you know I heard the defense minister uh

assure the oems in his meeting that

India will ensure that it does not

restrict to just being an assembly

Workshop uh of uh and he asserted that

you know we aim to produce cutting-edge

defense Hardware that's what our larger

ambition is all about so bringing back

to the question of of course when we

expect the public sector and the private

sector to work hand in hand to achieve

this ambitious Target that we have set

for ourselves the question here is how

where do we stand in terms of

incorporating what the sector is

demanding in terms of further opening up

and deregulating the sector and the

shortcomings that the private sector has

spoken about several times but is yet to

be addressed

superb for all transactions to take

place especially International

transactions such as these and where the

oems are interested in coming it has to

make a business case uh the business

basically comes when we stop buying PC

uh so we bought 36 refers then we

stopped at and now we are going for a

new discussion for an acquisition while

we are still discussing with referral to

buy the naval versions uh about 50 of

them so we need to stop buying piecemeal

and I think you know my esteemed uh

panelists also mentioned it in some way

I having a larger targeted requirement

in terms of what you did by when do you

need it and how do you move towards

generalizing right so you can't go from

developing nothing to developing a

rocket that's how if you look at the

story of the very very famous and

successful story of ISRO you will see

that they went from building a cycle

rocket a rocket that they literally

drove on a cycle a sounding rocket to

now you know hitting Mars and uh Moon so

we have to develop it in phases and like

the general very right we said we do not

need to reinvent everything to develop

everything in India there's enough

market in India for people to who have

already developed it to come and come

into the country partner with the uh

with this sector you know and then uh

start developing it right start

manufacturing it as you've all said I

think

but we've

we've um if we work together we should

be able to achieve the target I have a

very less time uh AVM srivastava very

quickly one last comment from you a lot

has been spoken about the F-35 it flew

for the first time it honked a lot of

Limelight also the question here is are

we missing something which is there more

to it do we expect the uh the uh India

to induct the F-35 which as on date is

said to be the most capable and a

multi-role aircraft which perhaps will

enhance our capability

see Theta whenever it comes to an

aircraft like F-35 or F-22 we always

need to compare the cost versus the

operational effectiveness kind of grid

and I don't think we are still ready to

pay that kind of cost for F35 as a

country because we need to spend our

money very very wisely we got certain

money only at our disposal being a

developing country in all respects so we

can't spend it like that and we have

debated this n number of times that we

don't need F35 as of now because we got

our own geographical features other

things to support us what you are

talking about the numbers let me give

you we need nearly 900 aircraft as we

today a combat aircraft

as per the fleet since we are less time

so there is a gap of 400 we want to fill

this Gap with certain numbers large

numbers from LCA MCA and that kind of

initiatives right but we know the

constraints of operational preparedness

so we will also fill up

there through collaboration what I'm

talking about let's say F21 is offering

uh itself the buying is offering and we

can open a pressuring plant here in the

country we will transact the technology

within the aircraft I don't know how

will it Rectify but if they show the

intent and they're really uh uh about it

probably we can do that but so many

others offering the same thing there is

also a point of which pavithra has said

that once we go on a particular kind of

Fleet we need to equate so that the

numbers can come in and the ecosystem

can then start feeding it so these are

the two contradictions which you need to

deal with but I think those people who

are in the power in the authority they

know about it and I know they know it

very very well because in 2016 we have

given a presentation to uh Department

defense production where we brought out

these things very clearly and it has

given rise to certain policy changes and

Effectiveness and I think everyone in

the ministry everyone the bureaucracy

everyone in the military bureaucracy

they know about it they're conscious

about it but I really appreciate of the

government that they are focusing on it

they're hammering on it and they're they

are saying this is a focus area all

right we have to stop at that time

allows me to take up only that much on

the program it's been a wonderful

interaction with the three of you or

we've spoken about a lot of the of

promise that the Prime Minister has you

know put his thrust upon on Earth and

also the challenges that the private

sector is still dealing with but

hopefully with a lot of changes that

we've seen happen and with this kind of

approach in the times to come as well

we'll be able to achieve the targets as

well as enhance our capabilities so that

having been said will have to wind up

the program thank you once again to all

the guests for joining us on this

edition of uh perspective and to you

viewers thank you very much for your

time as well I'll see you same time

tomorrow now take good care of

yourselves keep watching sensitivity

foreign

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