- The global community has witnessed some of the most cutting-edge technological advancements in the field of civil aviation over the last few decades. As we understand it, more people are inclined to travel by air as the preferred mode of transportation, hitherto considered the fiefdom of the well-heeled. Not any longer, though. The advent of modern economies and the developments unearthed in several key parameters have borne tremendous fruits for people vis-à-vis spending power. As the per capita income heads northwards, people’s perception of accessing and enjoying amenities has paved the way for loosening the purse strings. Thus, the civil aviation industry is seeing an uptick with more opting for the fastest and safest form of transport.
PC: Travel Radar
- The moot point to ponder over here is whether the governments are up to the task in embracing the need of the hour. Take, for instance, how the Indian government has set about the growing needs of the aspirational society in terms of making available the necessary aviation infrastructure for the growing number of users. Let’s dwelve further to comprehend how the Indian civil aviation is shaping up. And then there is the military requirement. Needless to mention, India desperately needs aircraft to not only secure the nation’s sovereignty but also be prepared to face any eventualities with neighbours from all sides becoming increasingly aggressive over the years in the altered geopolitical and geostrategic scenario. The challenges will become numerous.
PC: India Today
- On the defence front, the country’s dwindling fighter jet squadrons have raised concerns. That’s why the expected clearance for the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, ahead of Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming visit, assumes salience. But will that be smooth flying? The American acquisition of French component supplier LMB Aerospace could bring Rafale sales under the US’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations. This could potentially see the sale of Rafale platforms with LMB components requiring a US waiver. The other plane fact, India has a massive civilian aircraft order book of over 2,000 planes over the next decade, but all of these must be imported. Therein lies the catch and the challenges galore of overseas dependency.
PC: Air Power Asia
- Thus, there’s a strong case for indigenous aircraft production, both civilian and military. The government is planning to earmark Rs.12,511cr to set up an SPV for developing a regional transport aircraft, with the bulk of the money going towards certification, testing, and infra. Certification, particularly, is a technically challenging and expensive process. The biggest challenge for India is creating the ecosystem for aircraft manufacturing. This requires thousands of specialized suppliers for everything from avionics to landing gear. Then comes the engine issue – even Chinese aircraft don’t have indigenous engines. But we must start somewhere, and learning by doing is the best way forward. Boosting investment in aviation R&D will be critical.
