The Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS) and Strategic Insights organised the 'Conference on Indigenous Development of Critical Technologies for Air Power' in the D.S. Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi. The conference saw senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Air Force, DRDO, and industry leaders come together to discuss India's journey towards technological self-reliance in the aerospace and defence realms.

Delivering the inaugural address, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary, Ministry of Defence, emphasised the government's steadfast commitment to Atmanirbharta in defence production. He underlined the need for a structured policy framework to strengthen India's domestic industrial base through a balanced synergy between public and private sectors. Highlighting the government's efforts to create open opportunities for start-ups, he noted that a spiral development model and diversification of the industrial base will end monopolies, enhance ease of doing business, and promote innovation across the ecosystem. He also stressed the importance of developing advanced aero technologies, field evaluation trials, and long-range air-to-air missile systems to strengthen India's air power capabilities.

Defence Secretary emphasised the government's steadfast commitment to Atmanirbharta in defence production and the need for a structured policy framework to strengthen India's domestic industrial base through a balanced synergy between public and private sectors.

During his special address, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, highlighted the contribution of air power in determining strategic results, as seen during 'Operation Sindoor'. He said that apart from capabilities to design and develop indigenous aircraft, India should also prioritise achieving expertise in electronic warfare, advanced sensors, radars, and data links.

Leading the debate, Manish Kumar Jha, Founder, Strategic Insights and Consulting & Contributing Editor, SP Guide Publications addressed the challenges in the session on critical and advanced tech for air power, observed that India's progress with the Kaveri Engine demonstrates substantial indigenous capacity, but called for accelerated co-development efforts with global partners such as Safran and Rolls-Royce to achieve higher-thrust engines for AMCA and Tejas Mk-II.

On the critical issue of the Jet Engine Co-development session, chaired by Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS) at Air HQ, pointed out that India had earlier developed a workable fighter jet but was stalled due to the shortcomings of the aero-engine. He called out the industry to address the constraint, with the intent to develop a jet engine of higher capacity.

"Intent has to be that OEMs co-develop a jet engine in India addressing the core technologies gaps," Deputy Chief said during the deliberation in the conference.

Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, highlighted the contribution of air power in determining strategic results, as seen during 'Operation Sindoor'.

K. Rajalakshmi Menon, Director General, AERO, DRDO, in her keynote address, highlighted the disruptive potential of UAVs, multi-sensor fusion, and artificial intelligence in air operations. She spoke of advancements in stealth technology, aerostats, and airships equipped with enhanced sensors, as well as the integration of quantum, photonic, and blockchain technologies in defence systems.

Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd), Director General, CAPSS, welcomed the dignitaries and participants. He drew attention to the significance of Atmanirbharta amid the evolving security environment and the growing technological competition in the neighbourhood. Stressing the need to leverage artificial intelligence, advanced avionics, and next-generation propulsion systems, he emphasised that the development of intelligent control propulsion, super-cruise capability, and fly-by-light systems will define the future of India's aerospace dominance.

K. Rajalakshmi Menon, Director General, AERO, DRDO, in her keynote address, highlighted the disruptive potential of UAVs, multi-sensor fusion, and artificial intelligence in air operations.

AVM Golani, while greeting the participants and dignitaries, also highlighted the importance of Atmanirbharta in the context of the changing security environment and increasing technology competition in the neighbourhood. He emphasised leveraging artificial intelligence, advanced avionics and next-generation propulsion systems. Also, he underscored the development of intelligent control propulsion, super-cruise capability, and fly-by-light systems to shape the future of India's supremacy in aerospace.

The conference also featured a book release by the Defence Secretary, 'Asian Defence Review 2025: Geo-political Shifts and Strategic Partnership Multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific' and multiple technical sessions covering indigenous jet engine co-development, fighter aircraft programmes, unmanned systems, and strengthening the aerospace production ecosystem.

The conference reaffirmed India's strategic resolve to integrate emerging and disruptive technologies into its air power architecture, driving self-reliance and global competitiveness in aerospace innovation.

Concluding the day's proceedings, Manish Kumar Jha leading the session on critical and advanced tech for air power, observed that India's progress with the Kaveri Engine demonstrates substantial indigenous capacity, but called for accelerated co-development efforts with global partners such as Safran and Rolls-Royce to achieve higher-thrust engines for AMCA and Tejas Mk-II.

The conference reaffirmed India's strategic resolve to integrate emerging and disruptive technologies into its air power architecture, driving self-reliance and global competitiveness in aerospace innovation.

Manish Kumar Jha is a Consulting & Contributing Editor for SP's Aviation, SP's Land Forces and SP's Naval Forces and a security expert. He writes on national security, military technology, strategic affairs & policies.