Addressing the seminar on ‘Air Force-Industry Rendezvous’ at Hyderabad, Air Marshal DC Nigam, Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Maintenance Command said that indigenisation today provides over 35,000 types of items and product support for over 80 per cent of mandatory and fast moving low technology spares for eight fleet of IAF. He said that there is a need to shift our focus from reserve engineering to indigenisation by denova designs incorporating advanced state-of-the-art technology to ensure faster indigenisation. The Air Marshal asked the entrepreneurs to contact liaison unit of HAL for further information. He said that Andhra Pradesh government should come forward to help them to have links with IAF products.

The Principal Secretary, Industry and Commerce, Andhra Pradesh,
Mr T Gopala Rao expressed hope to strengthen relations between IAF and industries in Andhra Pradesh for supply of better parts for their needs. He also said that the industries should explore the possibilities to have similar contracts with Navy in Vizag and Army units in Hyderabad. Mr Rao asked the industries to tap the resources from Defence production in the country. He informed that the Andhra Pradesh government has established a
100-crore rupees fund for industrial development which can be utilised by the entrepreneurs.

The seminar-cum-exposition was jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Indian Air Force. In the exhibition, about 30 industrial stalls including those from Andhra Pradesh Technology Development and Promotion Centre and IAF Manufacture Units displayed their products and spares. The rendezvous was useful to build a rapport between IAF and industries in Andhra Pradesh region.

Earlier, delivering the inaugural address, Air Marshal SS Gupta, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command said that the frequent interaction between Indian Air Force and industry creates a better understanding and collaboration in producing items required for the Air Force. Air Marshal Gupta said that during 1970s and 1980s friendly countries used to supply items required for Air Force. But since 1990 Air Force is dependent on native manufacturers for supply of items at less cost and reliability. So IAF is giving development orders to the Indian industry. He asked the industry to come forward and start negotiations. Already these type of meetings were being conducted in Nasik, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Kanpur for the last four years and about 40,000 items are now indigenised, he added.

Mr P V Rao, Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh in his address said that such seminars and meetings between IAF and industry could solve challenges faced by the economy. He said that AP entrepreneurs could utilise this opportunity to produce better quality products and supply in-time delivery maintaining competitive standards. He assured all co-operation from the state in this regard.

Mr D V Manohar, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, in his welcome address appealed to the industry to participate in the IAF productive activities.