Recalling his tenure at HAL, Dr. Tyagi shared the experience of integrating the BrahMos missile with the Sukhoi-30 fleet, describing it as a defining example of institutional courage and leadership. Faced with competing cost estimates, HAL chose to back its own assessment and successfully completed the integration in less than two years. He noted that while technical capability is essential, leadership and the willingness to make difficult decisions are what ultimately drive national programmes forward. Reflecting on his experience as CMD of HAL, Chairman of Pawan Hans and now as an Independent Director, Dr. Tyagi observed that the gap between capable professionals and capable leadership often determines whether institutions progress or stagnate. He concluded that India’s pursuit of self-reliance is not only a technology challenge but also a leadership challenge, and congratulated BrahMos Aerospace, its CEO Jaiteerth R. Joshi, and VIF Director Arvind Gupta for their contributions to strengthening India’s strategic and technological capabilities over the past 25 years.

GSV’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj Choudhary, highlighted the vital role of industry partnerships in building skilled human capital and advancing aerospace innovation. The collaboration includes initiatives such as scholarships for underprivileged students and the appointment of a Chair Professor for Aerospace Studies at GSV, aimed at promoting academic excellence and sustainable aviation solutions in India. This partnership signifies a major step towards positioning India as a key player in the global aerospace industry.

The Minister explained that a strong aviation sector needs a complete and supportive ecosystem, not isolated efforts. He highlighted India’s young population and growing middle class as key drivers of aviation demand. While domestic aircraft manufacturing faced challenges in the past, he said India has made significant progress in recent years, and the global industry now sees the country as a credible manufacturing destination.

Shri Rammohan Naidu also stressed the government’s focus on regional connectivity. Under the UDAN scheme, nearly 100 airports have become operational, benefiting millions of passengers. A renewed phase of the programme aims to connect 120 destinations and serve about 40 million passengers over the next three years. To support future growth and the entry of new airlines, the government is standardising pilot training through a performance-based ranking system for flying schools to meet the expected demand for around 30,000 pilots.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Shri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka echoed these views and said India’s shift from being a buyer to a creator in aerospace is already underway. He highlighted Hyderabad’s strong aerospace ecosystem, noting that beyond incentives, the region offers high productivity and expanding facilities in areas such as aircraft engine maintenance, manufacturing and drone technology. Both leaders emphasised the shared goal of building an Indian aviation industry that serves not only domestic needs but also competes successfully at the global level.