Delivering the second L M Katre Memorial Lecture in Bangalore, Kalam said that it was essential to form the policy to integrate the strengths of both civil and military aviation sectors, and synergise the aviation sector.

“There are more than three hundred thousand engineers and technicians with infrastructure more than Rs 40,000 crore (in the sector). Implementation of this policy will usher in an era of high technology and high skill industry environment resulting in the generation of assets, wealth and value added employment in the country,” he said.

Mr Kalam noted that the technologies in the fields of aeronautics, space and missile were converging. This convergence would lead to cost effective, high quality design, development and production of various types of aerospace systems such as the 150-seater passenger jet, supersonic unmanned combat aircraft, hypersonic reusable missile, hyper-plane and a planetary missions including manned energy and water missions.
Passenger jet

Mr Kalam said, he was particularly keen on India developing a 150-seater passenger jet to cater to the exploding demand of the aviation sector. “A study undertaken by the committee of experts on India’s vision 2020 has come out with a large potential for possible aircraft to be produced in India. The findings concluded that it will be economically viable to produce a 150 seater aircraft in India which will help in attracting youngsters to take to aeronautical education and research,” he said.