BENGALURU, Feb 20: India Wednesday wooed investors
to capitalise on the ecosystem prevailing in the aero space
and other sectors and pitched for joint venture partnerships,
saying it offered a big market in Defence manufacturing.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made the pitch for
investment seeking to give a big push for the ‘Make in India’
initiative at Asia’s premier air show which began at the
Yelahanka air base, north of Bengaluru.
Eyeing India’s multi-billion dollar market, global
defence majors are showcasing technologies and products
including helicopters, fighter jets and transport aircraft at
the five-day mega event.
The event began on a sombre note, a day after two
aircraft of Surya Kiran, Indian Air Force (IAF)’s aerobatics
team, collided mid-air, killing a pilot and injuring two
others who ejected to safety.
Also at the air show extravaganza, American Defence
giant Lockheed Martin unveiled the F-21 multi-role fighter jet
for India, to be produced locally, as it eyed a multi-billion
dollar military order.
“Hundred per cent FDI is possible now in the defence
sector, so I invite all investors to consider to capitalise on
the ecosystem which prevails for Aerospace and other segments
which can help manufacturing in India,” Sitharaman said in
her inaugural remarks.
Noting that India has manufactured till date more than
4,000 aircraft, she said there was a “great possibility” for
the Original Equipment Manufactuters (OEM)s from abroad to
come and find joint venture partners.
She said the OEMs have a “captive market” and they could
scale up production, besides making exports from India.
India also had a robust supply chain with 10,000 micro,
small and medium entrepreneurs who make 80 per cent of the
components, aggregates and assemblies of complex weapon system
and aircraft, she said.
She said between 2014-15 and October 2018, as many as
150 contracts worth about Rs 1,27,500 crore had been signed
with Indian vendors for procurement of defence equipment for
armed forces.
Also in the same period, Sitharaman said the government
has recorded acceptance of necessity for 164 proposals worth
Rs 2,79,650 crore under various categories of capital
procurement including Make in India and Buy Indian.
“This means the request for proposal are issued to the
Indian vendors,” she said.
The defence ministry is ensuring that procurement orders
are given to Indian vendors, she added.
Sitharaman said the value of production in respect of
the Ordnance Factory Boards and also the defence public sector
undertakings have grown from Rs 43,746 crore in 2013-14 to
58,163 crore in 2017-18, out of which 40 per cent of
production is outsourced to the private sector.
She also said the orders given to Ordnance Factory is
definitely a support given to government-run institution, but
not at the cost of private sector.
“The private sector does get quite a lot of these
outsourced from Ordnance Factory Boards and therefore there is
a happy blending on both the private sector and the public
sector under Make in India norms,” Sitharaman said.
The defence minister also cited some of the policy
initiatives that included 100 per cent FDI in the defence
manufacturing, defence offset policy-2016 and delicensing of
defence items, to attract investment.
A breathtaking display of manoeuvres by military
aircraft besides aerobatic teams cast a spell at the 12th
edition of Aero India.
The Bengaluru skies dazzled with somersaults and
stunts by metal birds.
Manoeuvres by Rafale combat aircraft,the deal on which
has created a political firestorm in India, was a showstopper.
The Rafale aircraft flew at low speed to pay tribute
to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who died in a mid-air collision
between two aircraft of IAF’s aerobatics team ‘Surya Kiran”
during rehearsal on Tuesday.
Three IAF aircraft, with a Su-30MKi in lead, also flew
in the missing man formation as an aerial salute to Gandhi.
Unveiling F-21, Lockheed Martin said it was
specifically configured for the IAF and provides “unmatched”
Make in India opportunities and strengthens India’s path to an
advanced airpower future.
Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems would produce
the F-21 in India, for India, it said in a statement.
The US Defence major, which had earlier offered its
F-16 fighter to India, said the F-21 addresses the IAF’s
unique requirements and integrates India into the world’s
largest fighter aircraft ecosystem.
The biennial event, which would showcase India’s air
defence prowess, would also act as a platform for aviation
companies, the defence sector and government to forge new
alliances and contracts.
The current edition of Aero India was marked by
controversy with reports about it being shifted to Uttar
Pradesh, which had taken a political colour, as the
Congress-JD(S)led government in the state had hit out at the
BJP-led central government against the alleged move.
Besides the Tejas, the HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft),
first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132- named as Hawk-i, Civil
Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility
Helicopter (LUH),Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are scheduled
to fly in the air show.
Also, aerobatic teams like India’s Sarang (ALH-Dhruv)
and UK-based Yakovlevs are expected to enthrall the audience.
On static display would be HAL’s Light Utility
Helicopter (PT-1), Light Combat Helicopter (TD-2), Advanced
Light Helicopter (Rudra) and ALH MICU (Medical Intensive
CareUnit).
The Sukhoi SU-30, Rafale, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18
Super Hornet and the mighty B-52 Stratofortress bomber would
be part of the air show.
The Aero India official website said 61 aircraft would
be on display and 403 exhibitors would be part of the show.
CEO’s round table, drone Olympics, startup manthan and
women’s day (to celebrate women achievers) are some of the
highlights of Aero India-2019. (PTI)
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