India Eyes Leadership In Aircraft Component Manufacturing: Aviation Minister

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu chaired a high-level meeting on Friday in a push to accelerate the country's aircraft component manufacturing sector. The meeting, attended by top officials—including Civil Aviation Secretary V. Vualnam, Airports Authority of India Chairman Vipin Kumar, Directorate General of Civil Aviation Director General Faiz Ahmed, and key industry stakeholders—focused on boosting domestic production and strengthening India's global competitiveness in this field.

With Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat driving the agenda, India's aircraft component manufacturing industry is witnessing rapid growth, according to a release issued by the Centre. Strategic alliances with global aerospace giants, coupled with rising air travel demand, have made India an attractive sourcing hub for major original equipment manufacturers. The sector is gaining international recognition for its quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, added the release.

Chairing the meeting, Minister Naidu spoke about India's ambitions in the global aviation arena. "It is imperative that we build a comprehensive ecosystem—encompassing skill development, design, manufacturing, maintenance, certification, and knowledge sharing—through close collaboration among our ministries and departments with industry. India is well on its way to emerging as both a major hub for civil aviation and a centre for aircraft component manufacturing," he said.

The government is laying out a two-pronged strategy:

• Strengthening indigenous aircraft component manufacturing by leveraging MSME supply chains.

• Expanding India's footprint in international markets by enhancing the global reach of Indian component OEMs.

Secretary Vualnam spoke on the importance of regular industry-government engagements. "This meeting marks a significant first step in a long journey. We are committed to organising multiple such meetings regularly with all stakeholders, ensuring continuous feedback and assistance to drive the growth of this industry."