Friday, September 23, 2011

Indian Air Force Vice Chief asks privatet players to invest in defence sector

New Delhi: Urging private players to step up their participation in defence and aviation sectors, IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal K K Nohwar today said the offset policy has been framed keeping in mind their benefits.

“I can assure the industry that offsets are looked at very closely and it is definitely going to be to the advantage of the private industries. I think you (private sector) can rest assured on this account,” Air Marshal Nohwar said addressing a seminar here.

Underlining the strength of industry in manufacturing sector, IAF vice chief said the thrust should be on modernization of Air Force. Reuters

He was speaking at the Sixth International Conference on Energizing Indian Aerospace Industry.

“It is vital for the industry to step in now. Country is at a stage where we are inducting a lot of technology and lot of aircraft are coming in and choices are very vast as far as offsets are concerned,” he said.

Underlining the strength of industry in manufacturing sector, he said the thrust should be on modernization of Air Force, air traffic management systems, facilities for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of aircraft and its sub-systems.

“There is a huge potential for collaborations and joint ventures in aerospace sector. As far as opportunities are concerned, there can not be any better time, with offsets of upto 50 per cent that are coming our way. Specially with the deals like M-MRCA and others,” he noted.

Talking about the future technologies and areas in which the private industry can make an early beginning, he listed out opportunities in artificial intelligence, nano technology, enhanced performance of the UAV and large radius of action for the aircraft.

On IAF’s expectations from the industry, Nohwar said, “As far as IAF is concerned, wish-list is of critical technology, aircraft engines, seekers technology for air launched weapons and air warfare systems, radar technology, and encryption technology of international standards.”

Nohwar asked the private sector to do its bit and rely on policy makers which, he said, will ensure a level playing field for them.

http://www.firstpost.com

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