The Centre is planning a “national roadmap” to grow Indian manufacturing of aerospace components and has sought industry suggestions for a 10-year and 20-year plans.
The first in a series of meeting was held on this subject at the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Friday, following a push from the Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting was chaired by Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu, and included Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, V. Vualnam alongside stakeholders from Confederation of Indian Industries, Federation of Indian Chambers and Commerce Industry (FICCI), Original Equipment Manufacturers including India President of Boeing Salil Gupte, an Airbus official, as well as MROs, research institutes and officials from NITI Aayog, and Ministry of Commerce.
Minister Naidu agreed to a proposal from the industry for a detailed aerospace roadmap for the next 10 and 20 years as well as objectives to be achieved by 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of Independence, according to sources privy to the proceedings.
“The discussion focused on strengthening domestic production, fostering innovation and enhancing India’s global competitiveness in aircraft component manufacturing. Hon’ble Minister’s special emphasis is on supporting the indigenous component manufacturing and MRO industry in the country to encourage atmanirbharta,” the Ministry posted on X. India has been pursuing global OEMs to set up supply chains in the country given that IndiGo and Air India have placed some of the highest aircraft orders in the world totalling 1,000 planes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spelt out the ambition of a Made-in-India civil aircraft.
The meeting also included Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, V Vualnam alongside stakeholders from Confederation of Indian Industries CII, Federation of Indian Chambers and Commerce Industry, Original Equipment Manufacturers including India President of Boeing Salil Gupta and Airbus officials, as well as MROs, research institutes and officials from NITI Aayog, and Ministry of Commerce also participated.
Aerospace exports from India are currently valued at under $2 billion.
The meeting also saw the presence of the newly formed Aerospace India Association (AIA), an apex industry body representing India’s aerospace ecosystem, bringing together OEMs, supply chain manufacturers, and government stakeholders.
“The association aims to increase India’s aerospace market share from less than 1% currently to 10%, boost commercial aerospace supply chain exports from under $2 billion to $20 billion, and raise in-country value addition in exports from approximately 30% currently to 60%,” it said in a press statement.
“The aerospace manufacturing industry in the country faces significant challenges. Dependence on imported raw materials, limited intellectual property ownership, and regulatory constraints have restricted the sector’s full potential. AIA is addressing these issues by advocating for indigenous design and manufacturing, strengthening regulatory frameworks to align with global aviation standards, and working closely with government bodies to implement policies that enhance India’s aerospace competitiveness,” Dr. S. Dwarakanath, Director General of AIA, was quoted in the statement.
Boeing’s Salil Gupte told The Hindu, “It was encouraging to see the Honourable Minister’s focus on growing supply chain and capabilities in India. His expectation of leading foreign OEMs is quite clear – as part of our business here, the government expects companies like Boeing to help Indian industry grow capabilities from the bottom up, to increase manufacturing expertise in a step-wise manner which allows India to achieve its long-term goals.”
Boeing sources over $1.25 billion worth of exports from India, and 70% of this is sourced from manufacturing, and collaborations with more than 300 supplier partners. This includes the Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) in Hyderabad, which produces aero-structures for Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopter, including fuselages, secondary structures, and vertical spar boxes.
Airbus exports $1 billion of goods and services and plans to double this every 5 years for the next 10 years.
Published – February 08, 2025 08:04 pm IST
