Time to move from generics to specifics in aerospace manufacturing: Kharola
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Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India yesterday said the state governments must play an important role in aerospace components manufacturing. State policies on investment, taxation, and labour attract manufacturing units from all over the country.
Speaking at the Aero India 2021- 13th Biennial International Exhibition & Conference on ‘Making India Self Reliant in Aerospace Manufacturing’, organized by FICCI and Ministry of Civil Aviation, Kharola said that it is now time to move from generics to specifics as far as aerospace manufacturing is concerned. Drones are an important part of the aerospace industry. Our young entrepreneurs can capitalise on the various reforms being brought in by the government, he said.
Kharola said that the aerospace industry ranges from R&D and design, manufacturing to MRO. “The MRO is a fledgling industry, and we are working towards making it more vibrant and sustainable and to ensure that India emerges as the MRO hub of the region,” he added.
Sumita Dawra, Additional Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Govt of India said that the Indian aviation industry has witnessed a robust growth over the years. It plays a key role in connecting Indians across remote corners of the country. “The Indian civil aviation industry has become one of the world’s most lucrative aviation markets. There are huge opportunities in the Indian aviation industry for investments. The world is focused on Indian aviation and business opportunities- from manufacturers, tourism boards to global businesses,” she said.
“We have also undertaken an exercise to rate industrial parks of the country to facilitate investors in making their investment choices,” noted Dawra.
Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India said that India must be on manufacturing radar of every company. “The foreign manufactures will come in only when they get a reasonable size of the market and use India as a springboard for manufacturing and exports. Our dream should not be to make India the tenth largest in the world but among the top three choices that they (the foreign manufactures) have,” he said.
Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India said that civil aviation as a sector has emerged as an engine for development. “Globally, civil aviation is on a recovery track and nationally, this sector is going to play an important role in achieving the USD 5 trillion economy goal of the country.” The aviation sector has shown its courage and resilience in bouncing back, she said.
Remi Maillard, Chairman, FICCI - Civil Aviation Committee and President & MD, Airbus India said that there is a need for accelerating the transformation of India as a manufacturing hub and accelerating the regulation changes.
“It is gratifying to see Indian companies achieving laudable competency in all areas of aerospace manufacturing. Making India Atmanirbhar in the aerospace manufacturing does not mean copy-pasting capabilities that are already existing elsewhere. We must leverage the country’s immense competencies and talent pool to leapfrog to the technologies of the future. Ambition should be to enable India to take an active part in the development of the next generation,” he added.