MoD | Southern Naval Command Kochi hosts seminar on AatmaNirbhar Air Arm

The Southern Naval Command in Kochi is hosting a two-day seminar titled ‘AatmaNirbhar Air Arm of the Indian Navy 2023’ from November 13-14, 2023, organized under the auspices of Headquarters Naval Aviation. Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, presided over the seminar as the Chief Guest.

During his keynote address on November 13, 2023, the Chief of Naval Staff emphasized the importance of a self-reliant approach to address challenges in the maritime domain. He highlighted the government’s AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative, noting its potential application in the Indian Naval Aviation sector. The ongoing efforts to localize spares and critical components for aircraft manufacturing within the country were commended, emphasizing the encouraging potential of the Indian industry. The Chief of Naval Staff underscored the significance of flight safety, advocating for stringent checks and a review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reduce aircraft accidents.

Subject Matter Experts and distinguished panelists presented insightful papers, offering in-depth analyses and strategies to foster innovation. The seminar provided a platform for experts in aviation to converge and explore ways to leverage contemporary technology in revamping the indigenization process. The unique focus on achieving self-reliance in Naval aviation aligns with the AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative.

The event also featured the presentation of awards to various naval squadrons and flights for their outstanding performance. Admiral R Hari Kumar awarded on-the-spot commendations to Cdr Abhishek Tomar and Defence civilians Gitesh Shenoy MCM(AR) and Joseph Tom CM (AR) for their contributions to indigenization efforts, leading to the optimal utilization of Seaking helicopters in line with the AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative.