New Delhi: Showcasing Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) rich legacy in the design, development, and production of diverse avionics, the Avionics Expo 2023 unfolded on December 7 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The event, focusing on the crucial role of avionics in the modern aerospace system, unfolded key insights into the evolving landscape of military technology and served as a showcase of HAL’s expertise in avionics design, signalling a strategic shift towards advanced defence technologies.
Inaugurating the Avionics Expo 2023, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan in his address said, “Teaming up of manned and unmanned military assets will be a major aspect in new-generation avionics to prepare for future warfare and India is making concerted efforts in this direction.” It took centre stage in CDS Chauhan’s discussion of future avionics for upcoming warfare scenarios. He reiterated India’s commitment to advancing technologies to tackle potential security threats and commended HAL’s leadership in the domain.
Highlighting the imperative for the aviation sector to adapt to the fast-paced changes and technological innovations characterising the contemporary world, CDS Chauhan underscored the concept of convergence warfare, where diverse technologies converge to enhance the automation and autonomy of battles. According to him, avionics stands as the backbone of the modern aerospace system, delivering benefits to both the armed forces and the civil sector.
He stressed on the need for reduced import dependency in the aviation sector, highlighting its potential to boost the economy and better navigate geopolitical and economic uncertainties as Aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance, emerged as a central theme in his address. Expressing confidence in the expo’s capacity to facilitate idea exchange and gauge industry standing, he positioned it as a platform to propel India towards self-sufficiency in aviation.
Gen Chauhan said state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is at the forefront of rolling out new avionics and hardware to bolster the country’s military preparedness. “We all are in the midst of a change and transformation. It is not only geo-political changes but also geo-economic and technological changes. It is essential that modern militaries are ready to fight, while they prepare themselves for future conflicts,” he said.
The Chief of defence staff said teaming up of manned and unmanned assets will be key to prepare for future security challenges. He envisioned a future where collaboration between manned and unmanned military assets became a pivotal aspect of new-generation avionics and urged that the development of futuristic technologies will be important in fortifying India’s military preparedness.
Dr D K Sunil, Director of Engineering and R&D at HAL, talked about the global opportunities in the military avionics market, projecting significant growth by 2030. He also emphasised on exploring this window of opportunity with a commitment to the mantra of “Make for India, Make for the World.”
The Avionics Expo 2023 stands as a testament to India’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving landscape of military avionics, emphasising precision targeting, electronic warfare, aircraft health monitoring, and data connectivity for positive control.
