<p>India could achieve complete self-reliance in military aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) within the next 10 to 15 years, provided the current pace of reforms continues, according to Bharat Malkani, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Aerospace Group.</p><p>Speaking exclusively on WION's Defence Pulse on its Pathfinder segment, Malkani highlighted the growing importance of building an indigenous aviation maintenance ecosystem alongside India's expanding military aircraft manufacturing capabilities.</p><p>“At the rate of change, assuming the rate of change continues as it is today under the government, we anticipate it will take 10 to 15 years to be able to achieve 100% self-reliance,” Malkani said.</p><p>He cautioned that any slowdown in reforms would directly affect this timeline.</p><h2><strong>Private Industry Investment Critical</strong></h2><p>India already manufactures military aircraft and helicopters, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). However, developing domestic capabilities to repair engines, manufacture critical components and upgrade aircraft systems remains essential for sustaining operational readiness.</p><p>Malkani argued that the country possesses the technical expertise to support these platforms but requires greater investment.</p><p>“Do we have the capability today for sustainment? Yes. Can we do it? No,” he said, highlighting the gap between technical potential and available resources.</p><p>He stressed that government investment has historically been concentrated in public-sector companies and called for greater participation from qualified private-sector aerospace firms.</p><p>“Investment from government must now start to flow to the qualifying Indian private sector companies,” he said.</p><h2><strong>India as a Global Aerospace Hub</strong></h2><p>Beyond domestic military requirements, Malkani believes India can emerge as an international centre for aviation maintenance and manufacturing.</p><p>“Not just MRO, I think India has the ability to become a manufacturing hub,” he said.</p><p>Pointing to the global achievements of Indian engineers, he argued that India's technical talent could support the development of advanced aircraft for international markets.</p><p>“I believe we can be a manufacturing capability hub for not just India but India's friends,” Malkani added.</p><p>His assessment places aviation sustainment at the centre of India's defence self-reliance ambitions, where the ability to independently maintain and return aircraft to service could prove as strategically important as manufacturing them.</p>

Max Aerospace CMD Bharat Malkani tells WION that India could achieve complete military aviation MRO self-reliance in 10-15 years if reforms continue.

India could achieve complete self-reliance in military aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) within the next 10 to 15 years, provided the current pace of reforms continues, according to Bharat Malkani, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Aerospace Group. Speaking exclusively on WION's Defence Pulse on its Pathfinder segment, Malkani highlighted the growing importance of building an indigenous aviation maintenance ecosystem alongside India's expanding military aircraft manufacturing capabilities. “At the rate of change, assuming the rate of change continues as it is today under the government, we anticipate it will take 10 to 15 years to be able to achieve 100% self-reliance,” Malkani said. He cautioned that any slowdown in reforms would directly affect this timeline. Private Industry Investment Critical India already manufactures military aircraft and helicopters, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). However, developing domestic capabilities to repair engines, manufacture critical components and upgrade aircraft systems remains essential for sustaining operational readiness. Malkani argued that the country possesses the technical expertise to support these platforms but requires greater investment. “Do we have the capability today for sustainment? Yes. Can we do it? No,” he said, highlighting the gap between technical potential and available resources. He stressed that government investment has historically been concentrated in public-sector companies and called for greater participation from qualified private-sector aerospace firms. “Investment from government must now start to flow to the qualifying Indian private sector companies,” he said. India as a Global Aerospace Hub Beyond domestic military requirements, Malkani believes India can emerge as an international centre for aviation maintenance and manufacturing. “Not just MRO, I think India has the ability to become a manufacturing hub,” he said. Pointing to the global achievements of Indian engineers, he argued that India's technical talent could support the development of advanced aircraft for international markets. “I believe we can be a manufacturing capability hub for not just India but India's friends,” Malkani added. His assessment places aviation sustainment at the centre of India's defence self-reliance ambitions, where the ability to independently maintain and return aircraft to service could prove as strategically important as manufacturing them.

<p>Max Aerospace CMD Bharat Malkani tells WION that India could achieve complete military aviation MRO self-reliance in 10-15 years if reforms continue.</p>

'Indian Engineers Among the Finest in the World': Max Aerospace Chief on India's Aviation Ambitions | Defence Pulse

Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin have officially broken ground on a state-of-the-art MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility for C-130 aircraft. The facility, expected to be completed in 2026, will strengthen India’s defense capabilities and support Lockheed Martin’s global operations. The first C-130 is scheduled to arrive for MRO operations in early 2026, marking a major milestone in Indo-US defense collaboration.

Tata Advanced Systems, Lockheed Martin Launch New C-130 MRO Facility

<p>Mars is a busy place these days. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Chinese space agency both have heavy scientific activity going on and around the red planet. Though both agencies are carrying out their scientific observations independently, both expeditions often 'cross paths', so to speak.</p>

<p>China's Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover touched down on Mars on March 14 last year. While NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is revolving around Mars and is making scientific observations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last week, the MRO clicked pics of China's Zhurong rover. What's interesting about these pics is that it clearly shows Zhurong's 'footprints' on the red planet. The tracks made by Zhurong's wheels are clearly visible in these pics. What's more? These tracks can be traced back to the lander.</p>

<p>In other words, Zhurong's entire journey on Mars is visible in these pics. These photos have been taken by the MRO using the onboard HiRise camera. NASA has also tweeted these pics. In order to see the tracks, it is necessary to zoom in on them in the pictures.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In case you missed the other parts of today’s HiPOD observation (linked in the text). <a href="https://t.co/ZhuZxxmBGM">pic.twitter.com/ZhuZxxmBGM</a></p>
— HiRISE: Beautiful Mars (NASA) (@HiRISE) <a href="https://twitter.com/HiRISE/status/1504913260755095553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>MRO is orbiting about 316 kilometers above the surface of Mars. At this height, it is able to take pictures in which objects just a foot away can be observed distinctly. This ability makes the MRO capable of spotting rovers on the Martian surface.</p>

<p>The HiRise camera has already spotted NASA's Opportunity, Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.</p>


Mars is a busy place these days. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Chinese space agency both have heavy scientific activity going on and around the red planet.

Mars is a busy place these days. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Chinese space agency both have heavy scientific activity going on and around the red planet. Though both agencies are carrying out their scientific observations independently, both expeditions often 'cross paths', so to speak. China's Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover touched down on Mars on March 14 last year. While NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is revolving around Mars and is making scientific observations. Last week, the MRO clicked pics of China's Zhurong rover. What's interesting about these pics is that it clearly shows Zhurong's 'footprints' on the red planet. The tracks made by Zhurong's wheels are clearly visible in these pics. What's more? These tracks can be traced back to the lander. In other words, Zhurong's entire journey on Mars is visible in these pics. These photos have been taken by the MRO using the onboard HiRise camera. NASA has also tweeted these pics. In order to see the tracks, it is necessary to zoom in on them in the pictures. In case you missed the other parts of today’s HiPOD observation (linked in the text). pic.twitter.com/ZhuZxxmBGM — HiRISE: Beautiful Mars (NASA) (@HiRISE) March 18, 2022 × MRO is orbiting about 316 kilometers above the surface of Mars. At this height, it is able to take pictures in which objects just a foot away can be observed distinctly. This ability makes the MRO capable of spotting rovers on the Martian surface. The HiRise camera has already spotted NASA's Opportunity, Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

NASA's Mars orbiter clicks photos of China's Zhurong rover

In this segment of WION Wings we are in Hyderabad and this time a visit to AIR India's MRO facility. Have a look around

WION Wings: A visit to AIR India's MRO facility

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'Indian Engineers Among the Finest in the World': Max Aerospace Chief on India's Aviation Ambitions | Defence Pulse

Tata Advanced Systems, Lockheed Martin Launch New C-130 MRO Facility

NASA's Mars orbiter clicks photos of China's Zhurong rover

WION Wings: A visit to AIR India's MRO facility