Rajnath Singh Calls for Self-Reliant Aerospace Ecosystem

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for the development of a fully self-reliant and integrated aerospace ecosystem in India, stressing that indigenous aerospace capabilities will have to be built through a gradual process of innovation and technological advancement.

Speaking on self-reliance in the aerospace sector, Singh said there can be no sudden “Big Bang” in the development of aerospace systems, describing the sector as a vast and complex process involving successive stages of progress.

He said every product and component represents a step on a long ladder of technological development, while challenges along the way should be viewed as milestones on the broader roadmap towards growth.

Singh highlighted the deployment of an indigenous helicopter by ONGC for offshore operations as a significant achievement for India’s aerospace sector. He also pointed to the integration of the DGCA-certified indigenous ‘Shakti’ engine as an important addition to the country’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.

According to Singh, scaling up production of indigenous aerospace systems could contribute not only to national security but also to economic growth and national pride.

The Defence Minister stressed the need to build an aerospace ecosystem that is completely self-reliant across every domain, bringing together the strengths of different stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that collective efforts, technological innovation and sustained progress would enable India to achieve greater self-reliance in the aerospace sector.