Building Aerospace Power wards off all threats: Expert

Bangalore, Sep 7 (UNI) Building a strategic 'Aerospace Power' will not only help the country to remain at pace with growth in technology, but also ward off any kind of outside and inside threats as well, including nuclear, Air Staff Chief F H Major said today.

Delivering the 21st National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) Foundation Day lecture here on 'Strategic Aerospace Power: Technological and maintenance challenges', Air Chief Marshal Major said due to its versatility and utility' air power had assumed more importance.

Maintaining that ''this is the century of Air Power'' he informed that Aerospace Power would provide comprehensive capability, precision targetting and reduce visibility in its application becoming an 'instrument of choice' for military strategists. The Aerospace power with its accurate reliability would also help defence forces retain their supremacy.

Opining that there was a need to invest more on R and D in Aerospace Technology in the country, the Chief maintained that national security policy needed to be integrated with National Technology.

Stating that encouraging the private sector in defence related research activities was a great idea, he, however, stressed that the focus must be on national security than business considerations.

the Chief of Air Staff said the role of the Indian Air Force was significant in encouraging the aviation industry and as an end-user, the IAF would provide reliable feedback to the industry.

Appreciating NAL for contributing to the security of the country, he announced that the IAF was very eager to induct the 14-seater light transport aircraft 'SARAS' into the Air Force once it procured certification. The IAF would also receive the first batch of HAWKS, the advanced trainer aircraft, during the first week of October, 2007.

UNI