It is imperative for India to be self-reliant by developing a strong technological base in critical technologies and alert 24×7 in the rapidly changing scenario, Defence Minister A K Antony said.

“I do not think any country in the world, however friendly they are, would like to part with their most modern ‘A’ grade technology with any other. That is the reality,” he said, inaugurating the eighth edition of Aero India 2011 International Seminar in Bangalore on Monday.

“Until we gradually develop our own strong technological base in critical technologies we cannot say India has come of age,” he said while reiterating thrust on achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies.

It was essential for all stakeholders, including DRDO, industry, universities, research institutions and other arms to come together. Such coordination, Antony said, would receive government support.

He said while the success of Tejas, Akash missile system and unmanned aircraft Nishant, pilotless target aircraft Lakshya and airborne early warning systems were satisfying, “a lot more needs to be done to meet the needs of armed forces”.

DRDO and the armed forces need to step up the quality and pace of interactions to develop latest technologies and the best products, he said.

“In the years to come DRDO must be in a position to significantly enhance the percentage of indigenous systems for use of our armed forces”, he said adding that efforts to realise successful aerospace products in shorter time-frames through global cooperation must also be stepped up.

“Cooperation at every level-local, national or global is an absolute necessity for progress in technology, specially defence technology,” Antony said.

He said opportunities are there for all to forge closer links with national and international institutions. Such linkages are a must for laying down foundation for sustainable technological progress and growth, Antony said.

Antony said India has chalked out a roadmap to develop many challenging aerospace programmes and expressed confidence of great opportunities, not only for indigenous institutions and industries, but also for all partners across the globe.

Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said DRDO has close to 800 industry partners for development of defence products and India partners institutions in 20 countries.

Harping on collaboration, Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said there should be clarity on what could be developed in house and what would require collaboration.

Given constraints of infrastructure, expertise and funding, the way forward was to “indigenise with global cooperation,” he said.

Naik said the aerospace fraternity across the globe “should reach out, cooperate and learn from each other”.

He said “proliferation of aerospace technologies has not been proportionate to the demand, with very few countries having expertise to satiate the burgeoning demand in this sector. Domain experts are in short supply and grooming of professionals in design and manufacturing is a necessity”.

This can be reduced through mutual cooperation,” he said, adding, collaboration could reduce cost and help share risk. It can be a win-win situation for both.

However, success through global cooperation may not be a workable story every time with countries reluctant to part with cutting-edge technology even for a price.

“There has to be international endeavour requiring the commitment of government, industry, and users”, he said.

V K Saraswat, Scientific advisor to the Defence Minister outlined all the development in the defence sector and called for “investing in innovation and development of technology”.