In a move that should prove extremely significant in the future, the government is exploring ways and means to harness outer space. Speaking on the sidelines of a symposium on 'Energising the Indian aerospace industry', Air Chief S P Tyagi said, "A debate is on in the country on the ways and means to exploit the outer space and stratosphere in future terms."
Asked whether the IAF is facing an exodus of fighter pilots, who may head for the more lucrative civil aviaton market, Tyagi said this was not a big problem. "We take up the premature retirement requests on a case by case basis," he said.
Earlier, when inaugurating the symposium, Tyagi proposed the setting up of an aerospace commission to prepare a roadmap for sustained development of aviation-related industries. He also mooted joint ventures with global companies as a vehicle for acquiring advanced systems and aircraft.
Tyagi, however, cautioned that such a commission should not be used as a tool for imposing control over the industry, which has 'tremendous' potential to develop, both in civilian and military sectors. "We need a commission to prepare a clear roadmap to energise the sector," Tyagi said.
Endorsing the idea of joint ventures in the aviation field, the air chief said these should not be limited to partnership between private and public sectors in the country, but with global players also for aircraft manufacturing and in other technical areas.
"We have to team up. Join up with whoever has the expertise. Whoever is willing to share their technology. We need to explore and exploit such possibilities," he said. "Our strategy has to be manufacturing other than buying them. Obviously there is a market. We need to develop new models."
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