Editor’s Note

The changing nature of warfare, rising conflicts and the never-ending great-power competition has given rise to complex geometries in global geopolitical positioning. The world's future is filled with eternal uncertainty. The advances in technology such as quantum computing. artificial intelligence and digital surveillance have transformed the military worldwide. As a driving force, technology has embedded itself in the power showbiz and has initiated an unprecedented competition between global powers including the emerging middle power. Acquiring innovative power, capacity to invent and adapting fast to new technologies is now a key determinant for all involved in the ongoing power game in the emerging new world order.

Raksha Anirveda’s latest web feature attempts to evaluate and understand the impact of technology in reshaping India's power aspiration through its Indian Armed Forces’ modernisation programme. The featured articles have been diligently curated. These articles analyse Indian Armed Forces’ adoption of innovation and technology. procurement of critical technology to become Aatmanirbhar, adaptability to disruptive and emerging technologies, and its digitisation efforts to emerge as a strong future-ready force. Raksha Anirveda invites esteemed readers - the driving force behind its evolving benchmark to indulge, explore and evaluate the feature presentation. Happy Reading!

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Boeing Develops Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Modernization Roadmap for Airports Authority of India

  • Comprehensive 10-year roadmap for Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) to help modernize the Indian National Airspace System for Airports Authority of India (AAI)
  • Roadmap focuses on helping improve airspace utilization and maintain safe and efficient aircraft operations
  • Project undertaken with a grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)

Civil Aviation

New Delhi. Boeing today announced the completion of its milestone project for Airports Authority of India (AAI), to develop a comprehensive 10-year Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) modernization roadmap, undertaken with a grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

Boeing, with AAI, conducted a comprehensive analysis across operational, environmental, regulatory, technological, safety, and financial factors to develop and present a roadmap that AAI can use as guidance to modernize the Indian National Airspace System across communication, navigation, surveillance, and capacity and traffic management – aligned with global best standards.

“The implementation of modern technologies will ensure continual upgradation of our infrastructure, enabling us to meet the growing demands of the Indian aviation sector. The roadmap aims to drive operational excellence, and offer enhanced air traffic capacity for our flying public, and improved navigation, communication, and surveillance for our users, making Indian skies seamless and safer to operate in,” said Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India. 

“This is a proud moment for us at Boeing, as we develop and present a comprehensive roadmap to AAI to be leveraged as national guidance in helping improve airspace utilization, and maintain safe and efficient aircraft operations. With India experiencing an unprecedented surge in civil aviation traffic, these milestones add to the value-creation and innovation we are committed to enable in India, for India – aligned with the Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision,” said Ahmed Elsherbini, managing director, Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center, and chief engineer, Boeing India.

In 2019, Boeing and AAI signed an agreement to jointly develop a comprehensive 10-year roadmap for modernizing Air Traffic Management in India, backed by the USTDA. As part of the project, Boeing worked closely with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airlines operating in India, airport operators, and other airspace stakeholders under the U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP).

Partnerships of this scale increase further opportunities and deepen collaboration between the U.S. and India, and in the aviation ecosystem locally, enabling exchange and leverage of expertise and technology for local as well as global customers.