PRIVATE ENTREPRENEURS IN INDIAN AEROSPACE PRESENT STATUS AND POSSIBLE FUTURE ROLE

摘要

In India, the Aerospace industry has come a long way in over a little more than half-a-century and has attained its maturity from concept to operational flights and missions. Capability, Capacity and Cost-effectiveness are the catch phrases today. The prime players across the world, be it in the area of aeronautics, space or defense have directed their attention towards India to utilize its above mentioned unique benefits. The credit for this near-self sufficiency in design & development, production, testing and certification goes primarily to a number of Indian entrepreneurs and manufacturing industries numbering nearly 500 who work in close coordination with R&D & educational institutions, testing laboratories and aircraft & Space organizations within and outside the country. By contributing to this niche, complex and sensitive area, private industries have achieved many cutting-edge technologies indigenously. With India's space,civilian and defence aerospace expenditure steadily climbing up, these institutions have carved out a profile spanning a decade and beyond in tune with national requirements. Like anyone else involved in Space, India also has the ambitious program of Reusable Launch Vehicle as well as the recently announced manned mission program to be accomplished by 2015. There will be innumerable opportunities for private aerospace players in India to actively participate in accelerating the programs. This paper analyzes the increasing role played by the Indian private aerospace players in national Aerospace programs and in the changing international scenario as well as their potentially larger role internationally.