Sources – AFI
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, head of the Indian Air Force (IAF), made a compelling case for India’s growing aerospace prowess and its potential to partner with air forces of the Global South on Friday. Speaking at the inaugural address of the 20th Subroto Mukherjee seminar titled “India and the Global South, Challenges and Opportunities, organized by the Centre for Air Power Studies, Chaudhari highlighted the competitive edge and reliability of India’s indigenous platforms like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prahalad, and Akash missile system.
He emphasized how these platforms could provide competitive and reliable options for air forces of the Global South, boosting India’s economic and technological clout”
By pursuing these collaborative initiatives, India can not only establish itself as a reliable provider of high-quality aerospace solutions for the Global South but also forge stronger strategic partnerships and build a more robust security architecture in the region.
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Strengthening Ties Through Collaboration:
Chaudhari’s vision extends beyond just showcasing India’s technological advancements. He advocated for establishing mutually beneficial joint ventures with nations of the Global South This collaboration could encompass various aspects, including
Co-development of components: Partnering on specific parts and systems for aircraft and weapons, leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise
Sharing production facilities: Utilizing existing infrastructure or establishing new joint facilities to streamline production and reduce costs
Creating regional maintenance and support hubs: Setting up dedicated centers within the Global South to provide efficient maintenance and support for partner air forces fostering closer ties and technical exchange
