BY : ANI

The Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday that in the face of rapid technological advancements and induction of new generation equipment in Indian Air Force, indigenisation and modernisation of maintenance infrastructure has assumed a very significant role.

IAF is on look out for modern repair facilities right from tools, testers, automation in repairs to material handling equipment for keeping it a highly vibrant and agile force.

Indigenisation of weapon system and modernisation of maintenance facilities are closely inter-related and form the guiding principle for self reliance, self sufficiency and reduction of dependency on sources abroad. The industry has a very significant role to play in this regard.

The IAF vision for indigenisation is not limited to only a one-to-one replacement of imported items, but aims at improving upon operational efficiency and reliability through re-engineering, ab-initio design and technology enhancement.

IAF is more than willing to extend full support to the entrepreneur or established industry in their contribution towards indigenisation and modernisation. At the same time, IAF is endeavoring to expand the range of indigenisation to include complex and high cost items, which may generate substantial business for the industry.

It is now for the industry to make use of this opportunity to collaborate and consolidate their gains. In the longer run, the growth and additional opportunities would far outweigh the difficulties involved in the process, and in doing so, industry would not only be finding new avenues but, will also contribute towards the national objective of self-reliance.

Emerging industries within India have carved a niche for research and development and production of international quality products in the recent years. The cherished mission of IAF to make it self reliant is feasible only with the support and participation of Indian industry and in fact, today Indian industry has matured to take on this demanding role. IAF has joined hands with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), for bringing the industry and IAF on a common platform to interact and initiate a strategic alliance.

To explore the indigenisation and modernisation opportunities in IAF and to make it a reality, a two day international level seminar, named ‘INDAIR 2008’, is organised at Vigyan Bhawan on August 26 – 27.

The seminar and exhibition is jointly sponsored by Maintenance Command, IAF and CII. The event have participation of reputed manufacturers of weapon systems, both foreign and indigenous, dignitaries from MoD and IAF, academicians, QA agencies and CII officials.

The theme of the seminar is “Strategic partnering of IAF and Industry on modernisation and indigenisation”. The event would provide an impetus to the process of indigenisation and modernisation of production, maintenance and inventory management infrastructure in IAF, with a focus on Base Repair Depots (BRDs) and Equipment Depots (EDs).

This would benefit the industry as well and provide a trigger for their growth and an opportunity to participate in production and maintenance of Defence weapon system of the country.

The seminar is inaugurated by Defence Minister A.K. Antony and key note address delivered by the Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major PVSM AVSM SC VM ADC. Air Officer Commanding in Chief Maintenance Command Air Marshal Gautam Nayyar VSM delivered the theme address.

Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh inaugurated the exhibition depicting the industry potential and IAF needs for the indigenisation and modernization of its maintenance infrastructure.