New Delhi, April 7 -- Air Marshal Umesh Yalla, Air Officer Commanding in Chief of the Maintenance Command of the Indian Air Force, on Tuesday emphasised the need for indigenisation and advanced materials research in military aerospace manufacturing to reduce dependence on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) and enhance India's strategic autonomy.

Speaking at the CAPS-IMR Joint Seminar, Air Marshal Yalla said, "The military aerospace manufacturing industry has largely grown around licensed manufacturing of mainly airframe structures built to foreign OEM designs. Engines, aggregates, accessories, and avionics are usually supplied as a kit. Whenever these are allowed to be built within India, tight control over critical parts tec...