The Indian Navy’s Air Arm has completed over 60 years of yeoman service to the Nation. Since its inception in 1953, it has grown slowly and steadily into a strong arm of the Indian Navy with a large fleet of aircraft comprising carrier borne Fighters, ship-borne Helicopters, Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft and UAVs. Considering the myriad tasks of Naval Aviation and its poise for unprecedented growth, a Naval Aviation Seminar has been organized by the Indian Navy on the theme “Indian Naval Air Arm - Transforming for Future Challenges” to discuss and debate on the ‘way ahead’.

The two day seminar commenced today (April 30, 2015) at Dr DS Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi with the key note address delivered by Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff. The Chief Guest for the seminar Shri P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Minister of Civil Aviation and the Guest of Honour Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State for Defence also addressed the audience. The seminar was attended by a large number of senior naval aviators including Admirals RH Tahiliani, Arun Prakash and Sureesh Mehta, who retired as Chief of the Naval Staff. Eminent personalities from the field of aviation, both from the serving as well as retired officers of the Armed Forces and the industry including experts from friendly foreign countries shared their experiences in the field of naval aviation and emerging technologies.

During his address, the hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri Rao Inderjit Singh stated that ensuring a multi-dimensional Navy which is capable of securing our growing interests in our near and extended neighbourhood is of highest priority to us at the Ministry of Defence. He further stated that the Government is committed to strengthening the preparedness of the Defence Forces and will provide full support to the Navy for its modernisation and development plans. “The importance of the ‘winged component’ of the Navy – its Air Arm – is well understood at the highest echelons and we are indeed looking at equipping the Indian Navy with a whole array of aircraft to meet the myriad tasks with which it is regularly tasked” said the minister.

The seminar would provide a platform to the strategic community, professional naval aviators and the aviation industry to discuss contemporary aspects of Maritime Air Operations especially Aircraft Carrier operations. There would also be deliberation on the positive impact of ‘Make in India’ initiative in the Aerospace sector whilst stimulating an intense and meaningful professional discussion amongst all stakeholders.

The seminar would bring out the scope and opportunities in developing our nascent aerospace sector in time with the ‘Make in India’ initiative outlined by the Government. The seminar also envisages enhancing the synergy between DRDO, PSUs and the private sector as a spin off.

Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff delivering the key note address at Naval Aviation Seminar
2015 at Kothari Auditorium DRDO Bhawan.

Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Rao Inderjit Singh addressing the gathering at Naval Aviation Seminar 2015.

Hon’ble Minister for Civil Aviation Shri P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, along with Rao Inderjit Singh Hon’ble
Raksha Rajya Mantri, Admiral RK Dhowan and Rear Admiral DM Sudan, ACNS(Air) releasing the
‘Vision Document’ on Indian Naval Air Arm at Naval Aviation Seminar 2015.