Headquarters Maintenance Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF), in collaboration with the Centre for Airpower and Strategic Studies (CAPSS), an autonomous defence think tank, successfully conducted a one-day Joint Aerospace Power Seminar at Nagpur on 11 May 2026. The seminar, centred on the theme ‘Efficient Maintenance and Aatmanirbharta Enablers of Airpower,’ brought together senior military leaders, domain experts, and distinguished participants to deliberate on the critical role of maintenance efficiency and self-reliance in enhancing aerospace capability.

Air Marshal Yalla Umesh, VSM, PhD, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, graced the occasion as the chief guest. In his address, he underscored the pivotal importance of robust maintenance frameworks and indigenous capability development in sustaining operational readiness and strengthening national security. He highlighted that achieving aatmanirbharta in aerospace systems is essential for ensuring resilience, reducing dependency on external sources and enabling mission effectiveness.

The seminar featured insightful presentations and panel discussions focusing on emerging maintenance practices, technological advancements, indigenisation initiatives and policy frameworks aimed at bolstering India’s airpower. Experts from the IAF and CAPSS exchanged perspectives on aligning maintenance strategies with the nation’s vision of self-reliance in defence production.

The event provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and fostered deeper synergy between strategic thinkers and operational stakeholders. It reaffirmed the commitment of the IAF’s Maintenance Command towards adopting innovative approaches and strengthening indigenous capabilities in support of national objectives. The seminar concluded with a shared resolve to further enhance collaboration between think tanks and the armed forces in driving transformative changes in aerospace maintenance and capability development.