Bengaluru: Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari on Friday said the Indian aerospace industry is witnessing unprecedented growth towards becoming a self-reliant ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’.
“With each passing day, the aerospace industry is witnessing unprecedented growth towards becoming a self-reliant ‘Aatma Nirbhar’ Bharat’,” he said.
On this occasion, it is important to highlight the government policies which aim to support holistic incorporation of advanced technologies, impetus on domestic manufacturing, enhancing public-private partnership and enhancing the overall indigenous component in the defence sector, he said.
“These have created a robust roadmap laden with a multitude of opportunities for our flight testing community to engage proactively and contribute effectively to meet the national policy objectives,” he added.
The Chief of Air Staff stressed upon “the necessity for self reliance in the field of military aviation and the certainty of ASTE to this efforts”.
Chaudhuri lauded the immense contribution made by the establishment and its alumni in numerous aircraft developments, weaponization and upgrade programs which have been pivotal in the enhancement of the IAF operational capability.
He complimented the efforts of the Indian flight testing fraternity in design, development and operationalization of successful weapon platforms such as LCA Tejas, ALH Dhruv and LCH Prachand, thereby underlining the capability of Indian defence aerospace ecosystem.
Earlier, as a finale to the Golden Jubilee celebratory year, an International Flight Test Seminar (IFTS) was inaugurated by Chaudhari.
The seminar served as an important platform for interaction between the flight test crew, defence research and production agencies, distinguished scholars for academic institutes and representatives from international agencies engaged in flight testing.
Various commemorative events were organised throughout this significant year with all round participation.
Over the last five decades, ASTE has contributed actively towards various integration and developmental projects in support of inducting and absorbing niche aerospace/defence technologies.
Its flight test crew have actively participated in the design, development programme of Saras MK-II and Hansa NG, apart from various complex aircraft upgraded and weapon integration programmes.
To commemorate this special occasion, an India Post ‘Special Cover’ was released by the Chief of the Air Staff.
The CAS was accompanied by Commodore Commandant of ASTE Air Marshal B R Krishna, DCAS Air Marshal N Tewari and Commandant of ASTE AVM J Mishra.
