SOURCE: AFI
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, undertook a two-day visit to Hyderabad on July 23-24, 2024, to assess the progress of key defense projects. His itinerary included visits to DRDO, HAL, and TASL, where he reviewed critical aspects of India’s self-reliance initiatives in the aerospace and defense sector.
A significant highlight of the visit was the granting of production clearance for ASTRA missiles at DRDO. This crucial development marks a major step forward in bolstering India’s air defense capabilities. At HAL, the Air Marshal focused on reviewing the progress of avionics indigenization, a critical component of enhancing the self-sufficiency of the Indian Air Force.
Additionally, Air Marshal Dixit inspected the C-295 aircraft production line at TASL. This project is a cornerstone of the government’s Make-in-India initiative and is expected to significantly enhance India’s transport aircraft capabilities.
During an interaction with Shri APVS Prasad, CE CEMILAC, and Shri U Raja Babu, DG MSS, along with representatives from Airbus and TASL, Air Marshal Dixit commended the efforts towards indigenization and self-reliance. His visit underscores the Indian Air Force’s commitment to fostering a robust domestic defense industry.