‘Make in India’ is for mutual benefit via tie-ups: Minister

The success of ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission and DRDO’s successful test-firing of Agni series of surface-to-surface intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) have added thrust to the ‘Make in India’ programme.

Minister of State (Defence) Rao Inderjit Singh, speaking at the three-day international seminar ‘Aerospace: Vision 2050’, said ‘Make in India’ now is being targeted to become mutually beneficial with many countries and private enterprises via joint ventures.

The meet is a prelude to the biennial, air show — Aero India 2015 — which begins on Wednesday. The aerospace meet organised by Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO), in association with Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), has set the tone to dwell and exchange ideas on matters that converge on ‘needs of the times’ in the ever-emerging realm of aerospace — both military and civil.

Rao Inderjit Singh recounted the outcome and achievements of ‘India’s Aerospace Technology Plans’ and its implementation, describing it as ‘very rewarding’.

Lauding the recent successful launch of Agni-V on February 1, with a range of over 5,000 km and capable of carrying a warhead of over one tonne, he said: “The Agni-V is a major addition to the country’s strategic strike capability.”

Among the other notable DRDO achievements that found a mention, included ‘Nirbhay’, the indigenously developed sub-sonic long-range cruise missile, Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW & C) system and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’, among others.

In a first, the seminar also has a special theme in its 10th edition inviting nations to ‘Make in India’ for mutual benefit through joint ventures.

The large-scale economic initiative encompasses infrastructural sectors in aviation, space, defence systems, airport infrastructure, defence engineering, renewable energy and thermal power, among other civilian sectors.

The ‘Make in India’ economic programme launched by the Prime Minister opens up opportunities for innovative minds to exploit the globally evolving spirit of ‘teaming up’ and ‘pooling resources’, the MoS said to an audience comprising over 800 delegates, including 15 foreigners.

Earlier, MoS for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, GM Siddeshwara, while speaking on the occasion, described the various indigenously developed systems in aerospace as symbols of ‘Indian Prowess’ in the aerospace arena.

Dignitaries present on the occasion included Distinguished Scientist and DG (Aero), K Tamilmani, CMD Bharat Electronics Ltd, SK Sharma and CMD Hinduatan Aeronautics Ltd, T Suvarna Raju and Distinguished Scientist and Programme Director, AEW & C and Centre for Airborne Systems, S Christopher.

A ‘Seminar Souvenir’ and a special issue on ‘Airworthiness and Certification’ were also released during the event.