Deputy Chief of Air Staff’s Landmark Visit Bolsters India's Defence Capabilities

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit's two-day visit to Hyderabad highlighted significant strides in India's defence sector. Key engagements included interactions with top officials, granting ASTRA missile production clearance, and reviewing local avionics. Successful BMD tests also marked the visit.

In a significant appraisal of India’s defence capabilities, Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit concluded a two-day visit to Hyderabad from July 23-24, engaging with key players in the sector. This included the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).

During his interactions, Air Marshal Dixit met with APVS Prasad, Chief Executive of the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), U Raja Babu, Director General of Missiles and Strategic Systems (MSS), and the Airbus-TASL team. He praised the indigenization efforts in various defense segments, emphasizing self-reliance.

Highlights of the Deputy Chief’s visit included granting production clearance for ASTRA missiles at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), reviewing avionics indigenization at HAL, and inspecting the C-295 aircraft production line at TASL. Notably, DRDO successfully tested Phase II of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System on July 24, demonstrating the nation's advancing defense technology.