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We Want To See Why Not Aerospace Materials Be Developed In India: Defense Secretary Ajay Kumar

Strategic materials are increasingly important to the development of a nation-state in general and its security in particular. Indian Industry has been demanding that a considerable part of the defence capex budget should be reserved for indigenous manufacturers.

Photo Credit : BW,

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Defence and HLS Committee organized an International Conference on Critical and Strategic Materials in Aerospace and Defence at AERO INDIA 2021. 

International conference was led by Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary and Satheesh Reddy, Chairman DRDO.

Defence Secretary, Ajay Kumar emphasized the the need of Critical and Strategic Materials in Aerospace and Defence in the  International Conference.

Defence Secretary shared that stress has been laid on the materials in DAP 2020. 

If any material is available in India then it has to source from India and it has to be a part of the RFP. As a part of Make in India, we want to see why not materials be developed in India. These materials need to be developed in India either by the material laboratories or though industry participation. MSMEs are the backbone of defence and aerospace industry in India

He added: "The Government aims to double the number of MSMEs from 8000 in defence and aerospace sector to 16000 in the next five years. The Government has reserved that any procurement up to Rs. 100 crores will be reserved from Indian MSMEs. There has also been a significant increase of 72% last year in the procurement through GeM."

India needs to master the manufacturing technology and develop the capabilities for the materials within the country. It involves  various stages of development of the materials right away from mining, processing technology to their application in strategic sectors.

Strategic materials are increasingly important to the development of a nation-state in general and its security in particular. Indian Industry has been demanding that a considerable part of the defence capex budget should be reserved for indigenous manufacturers.

Leading OEM, Rolls Royce is working with different organizations like MIDHIANI to co-create products and also that the materials is going to play a very important role.

Dr. S K Jha, Chairman & Managing Director, MIDHANI emphasized that India has strength of Material but still we are importing martial due to certain factors. We should replace import which is taking place as number of equipment coming from foreign, material are known to us however importing due to stamping and other related issues. In Space and Nuclear India has done good work in materials and cost in technology. Such success story could be created in defence Under Atmnirbhar Bharat. MIDHANI success is due to R&D from DRDO and certification from CEMILAC and DGAQA.

B Saha, Regional Director, RCMA (Materials) stated that next 5-10 years are crucial for strategic material. Saha, emphasized the importance of availability of right material at right time, qualified and certified material. A drive should be there for wider ecosystem, vast material manufacturing base from private industry, MSME startups and established PSUs. Also discussed Challenges in certification, Airborne material in strategic in nature. Aeronautical Testing should be given high priority and to be looked into seriously.

M Z Siddique, Director, Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) emphasized importance of material for Gas Turbine System of next generation.  Material tech for Gas Turbine engine evolution has mammoth weight age of 50%.  M Z Siddique also discussed various projects to cater future challenges on developing critical material. Collaborations is the order of the day, we may have mission specific categorization of material, joint working groups for material, advance Centre of excellence in Manufacturing technologies. Manufacturing and Material should go hand in hand.



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