BY DEFENCE JOURNALIST SAHIL | T.I.N. NETWORK
NODAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE SYMPOSIUM – 2025: PUSHING THE FRONTIERS OF INDIGENISATION IN THE INDIAN AIR FORCE
New Delhi – The Base Repair Depot (BRD), Palam, one of the premier establishments under the Indian Air Force’s Maintenance Command, played host to the Nodal Technology Centre (NTC) Symposium–2025 with the central theme ‘Indigenisation through Reverse Engineering Adopting Black Box Concept’. The prestigious gathering marked yet another significant stride in India’s mission of achieving technological self-reliance in defence and aerospace systems, a key pillar of the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The symposium, held at Palam on Tuesday, brought together a confluence of Air Force officers, distinguished academicians, industry representatives, and thought leaders in the field of defence technology. The initiative was aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate indigenous development and reduce dependence on foreign systems in critical domains of aviation and radar technologies.
A Showcase of Leadership and Vision
The event was presided over by Air Commodore Harsh Bahl, Air Officer Commanding, Base Repair Depot, Palam, who attended as the Chief Guest. His presence underlined the importance accorded by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to the twin goals of indigenisation and technological excellence. Accompanying him was Air Commodore L Shriram, Air Commodore (Radar), Air Headquarters, who served as the Guest of Honour, further emphasizing the vital role of radar and electronic systems in the evolving aerospace ecosystem.
In his keynote address, Air Commodore Bahl stressed upon the significance of reverse engineering coupled with the Black Box approach, a methodology aimed at replicating complex technologies while preserving operational efficiency and confidentiality. He underscored how the approach could serve as a catalyst in bridging gaps in India’s technological ecosystem, particularly in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations where dependency on foreign-origin systems remains high.
“The future of India’s combat readiness will depend not only on the acquisition of advanced platforms but equally on our ability to sustain, repair, and upgrade them with indigenous solutions. This symposium is a reaffirmation of our resolve to empower Indian minds and Indian industries to innovate for national defence,” Air Commodore Bahl said.
Academia and Industry Come Together
One of the highlights of the symposium was the active participation of eminent scholars from IIT Delhi, IIT Mandi, and Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), New Delhi. These academic institutions have been instrumental in cutting-edge research, and their experts delivered detailed presentations on opportunities for technology absorption, indigenous substitution of imported parts, and the roadmaps for self-reliant innovation in critical systems.
Industrial representatives also brought valuable perspectives to the symposium, sharing the latest trends in materials, avionics, radars, sensors, and simulation systems that could be effectively integrated into the IAF’s platforms. The discussions focused on the dual requirement of reducing costs while enhancing the operational availability of assets. The platform provided an opportunity for the industry to interact directly with IAF officers and engineers, allowing them to identify future areas where indigenous solutions could be rapidly introduced.
Release of the NTC Compendium – 2025
A major highlight of the day was the unveiling of the ‘NTC Compendium – 2025’, a carefully compiled document that chronicles the milestones and achievements of the Base Repair Depot in its indigenisation journey. The compendium was released by Air Commodore Bahl in the presence of the Guest of Honour, symbolising the Depot’s sustained commitment to the larger cause of national self-reliance.
The compendium not only documented technical progress made in recent years but also highlighted successful case studies where indigenous innovations replaced costly foreign imports. It served as an inspirational roadmap for future endeavours, motivating both the uniformed fraternity and civil collaborators to strive towards greater technological autonomy.
The Exhibition – A Glimpse into the Future
Parallel to the symposium, an exhibition was organised at the venue, where industrial partners showcased their technological capabilities. Stalls displayed a diverse array of innovations ranging from indigenised spare parts and electronic modules to advanced radar sub-systems and MRO technologies.
The exhibition served as a live platform for interaction between developers, researchers, and end-users, facilitating detailed discussions on practical applications. Air Force engineers used the opportunity to highlight existing challenges, while the industry displayed their readiness to bridge those gaps with homegrown technologies. For young engineers and scientists from academia, it was a chance to witness firsthand the challenges of defence innovation and the possibilities of contributing to the IAF’s technological journey.
Reinforcing IAF’s Commitment to Self-Reliance
The NTC Symposium–2025 was not merely an academic or industrial exercise but a reaffirmation of the IAF’s strategic intent to achieve indigenisation at scale. Over the years, the Indian Air Force has consistently worked to reduce its dependence on imported systems, but the challenges remain formidable due to the complexity of aerospace technologies.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders under one roof, the symposium underscored the importance of synergy between the military, academia, and industry. The Black Box concept of reverse engineering, discussed at length during the event, was projected as a key enabler to ensure that India develops the expertise to replicate, maintain, and innovate upon systems that were previously imported.
Towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in Aerospace
The Indian Air Force’s drive towards indigenisation is part of a larger national vision. With the Defence Ministry repeatedly emphasising the need to build indigenous capacity, symposiums like this are becoming crucial platforms for dialogue. The discussions at Palam highlighted not only the urgency of developing indigenous spare parts and technologies but also the opportunities for building globally competitive defence products.
The event reinforced the notion that self-reliance in defence is not merely about substituting imports but about developing sustainable ecosystems of innovation that can serve both military and civilian applications. The collaborative spirit witnessed at the NTC Symposium–2025 was a testament to India’s growing confidence in its scientific and industrial potential.
Conclusion
As the day concluded at Base Repair Depot, Palam, it was evident that the symposium had not only achieved its immediate objectives but had also charted a roadmap for the future. By blending the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force with the intellectual prowess of academia and the technological capacities of industry, the Nodal Technology Centre Symposium–2025 succeeded in pushing the narrative of Atmanirbharta forward.
For the Indian Air Force, events such as these serve as a reminder that the nation’s aerospace strength lies not only in the skies but also in the laboratories, workshops, and classrooms where the technologies of tomorrow are born.
The message from Palam was clear – India’s march towards self-reliance in defence technology is not a distant dream but a mission already underway, powered by innovation, collaboration, and an unyielding spirit of national service.
नोडल टेक्नोलॉजी सेंटर संगोष्ठी – 2025 : भारतीय वायुसेना के आत्मनिर्भरता अभियान को नई उड़ान
नई दिल्ली, 23 सितम्बर 2025 – भारतीय वायुसेना के मेंटेनेंस कमांड की एक महत्वपूर्ण पहल के तहत बेस रिपेयर डिपो (BRD), पालम में नोडल टेक्नोलॉजी सेंटर (NTC) संगोष्ठी–2025 का आयोजन किया गया। इस वर्ष की संगोष्ठी का विषय था ‘ब्लैक बॉक्स कांसेप्ट को अपनाते हुए रिवर्स इंजीनियरिंग के माध्यम से स्वदेशीकरण’, जिसने देश की रक्षा तकनीकी आत्मनिर्भरता के अभियान को नई दिशा प्रदान की।
इस अवसर पर एयर कमोडोर हर्ष बहल, एयर ऑफिसर कमांडिंग, बेस रिपेयर डिपो, पालम मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में उपस्थित रहे। वहीं एयर कमोडोर एल श्रीराम, एयर कमोडोर (रेडार), एयर मुख्यालय सम्मानित अतिथि के रूप में संगोष्ठी में शामिल हुए। संगोष्ठी में आईआईटी दिल्ली, आईआईटी मंडी और नेताजी सुभाष यूनिवर्सिटी ऑफ टेक्नोलॉजी (NSUT) के प्रोफेसरों समेत अनेक प्रमुख शिक्षाविदों और उद्योग प्रतिनिधियों ने हिस्सा लिया।
आत्मनिर्भरता की दिशा में ठोस पहल
अपने संबोधन में एयर कमोडोर बहल ने ब्लैक बॉक्स कांसेप्ट के साथ रिवर्स इंजीनियरिंग की महत्ता पर प्रकाश डाला। उन्होंने कहा कि इस तकनीक के माध्यम से भारत उन जटिल प्रणालियों को समझ और विकसित कर सकता है जिन पर अभी तक विदेशी आपूर्ति पर निर्भरता रही है। यह पद्धति न केवल मरम्मत और रखरखाव में क्रांतिकारी साबित होगी बल्कि भारतीय उद्योगों को भी रक्षा क्षेत्र में अग्रणी बनने का अवसर देगी।
उन्होंने कहा, “भारत की भविष्य की युद्धक क्षमता केवल अत्याधुनिक प्लेटफार्म हासिल करने पर निर्भर नहीं होगी बल्कि इन्हें बनाए रखने और उन्नत करने की हमारी क्षमता पर भी होगी। इस संगोष्ठी के माध्यम से हम स्वदेशी प्रतिभा को राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा में योगदान देने के लिए प्रोत्साहित कर रहे हैं।”
शिक्षा और उद्योग का संगम
संगोष्ठी में आईआईटी दिल्ली, आईआईटी मंडी और NSUT के विशेषज्ञों ने विभिन्न प्रस्तुतियों के माध्यम से यह बताया कि किन-किन तकनीकों को स्वदेशीकरण के माध्यम से विकसित किया जा सकता है। वहीं उद्योग जगत से आए प्रतिनिधियों ने राडार, सेंसर, एवियोनिक्स और मरम्मत तकनीक में हो रहे नवीनतम नवाचारों को साझा किया।
इस अवसर पर ‘NTC कम्पेंडियम – 2025’ का विमोचन मुख्य अतिथि द्वारा किया गया। इस दस्तावेज़ में बेस रिपेयर डिपो की अब तक की उपलब्धियों, सफल केस स्टडीज और भविष्य की दिशा का विस्तृत उल्लेख किया गया है।
प्रदर्शनी ने दिखाई स्वदेशीकरण की झलक
संगोष्ठी के साथ ही एक तकनीकी प्रदर्शनी भी लगाई गई, जिसमें उद्योग साझेदारों ने अपने उत्पादों और क्षमताओं का प्रदर्शन किया। इन प्रदर्शनों में स्वदेशी स्पेयर पार्ट्स से लेकर उन्नत राडार उप-प्रणालियां और मरम्मत तकनीकें शामिल थीं।
भारतीय वायुसेना का संकल्प
पूरे कार्यक्रम ने यह स्पष्ट संदेश दिया कि भारतीय वायुसेना अब विदेशी तकनीक पर निर्भरता कम करते हुए शिक्षा जगत और उद्योग जगत के सहयोग से आत्मनिर्भरता की ओर तेज़ी से बढ़ रही है। यह संगोष्ठी न केवल विचारों का आदान-प्रदान थी बल्कि राष्ट्रीय रक्षा में आत्मनिर्भरता की ठोस योजना को आगे बढ़ाने का मंच भी थी।
निष्कर्ष
पालम में आयोजित यह संगोष्ठी भारतीय वायुसेना के आत्मनिर्भर भारत अभियान का एक सशक्त प्रतीक बनी। इससे यह साफ है कि भविष्य की तकनीकी शक्ति केवल युद्धक विमानों या हथियारों में ही नहीं, बल्कि उन प्रयोगशालाओं और उद्योग इकाइयों में भी बसेगी जहाँ नवाचार और शोध से आने वाले कल की रक्षा तैयार की जा रही है।
Add Comment