INDIGENIZE WE DID!

India's journey towards indigenizing airborne equipment has been marked by technical innovation, resilience, and immense challenges. G RAJ NARAYAN highlights the complexities of designing and certifying critical aviation components while navigating stringent regulations and environmental constraints. Despite proving that "Make and Design in India" is possible, he questions the sustainability of such efforts due to limited procurement support and bureaucratic hurdles.

- G RAJ NARAYAN

There is excitement in the air! The popular Aero India show is once again here, and everyone is excited to watch the metal birds dance in the air. People of all ages from 5 to 75 in multi-ethnic dresses drive through extra congested roads of Bengaluru leading to the Yelahanka AF base or near about to watch Indian as well as foreign pilots showcase their wares by weaving in and out of clouds and tumbling all over in what are called 'rolls' and 'loops'. Spectators on the ground are left gasping for their breath and overawed by the birds and their masters holding a 'stick' of joy.

The Air show is indeed a popular event for the general public since they rarely get to watch such amazing displays of aerobatics at close quarters. However, for the visiting business exhibitors From across the world, this is a high-power sales promotion event. There are different angles to any business show. The primary objective is to display the latest of wares and technologies to attract buyers from countries in the region where the show is held. Secondary objectives may range widely. It could be for seeking business partners and subcontractors to meet the mandatory Defence Offset requirements stipulated by the GoI or to develop contacts within Govt. Organisations and the Armed Services. It could also be to snoop into competitors' wares. Quite often, foreign businesses look for smart and upcoming indigenous talent that needs to be nipped in the bud! Once identified, it is a simple matter to leave it to their Indian agents and the bureaucracy to arrange to 'kill' the enterprise!