Interview with Mr. Nimesh Desai, MD, TechEra Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Q1. How do you view the recent unveiling of China’s COMAC C929 and CJ-2000 engine in terms of global aviation innovation, and what lessons can India’s aerospace sector draw from this bold move?
Answer: The programme still has a long journey ahead—particularly when it comes to propulsion maturity and certification. Geopolitical complexities will also play a major role in shaping its success or challenges. For India, the key lesson is clear: we must anchor our own indigenous programme rather than remain dependent. The ongoing discussions between GE and Indigo to build the F-414 engine for the Tejas Mk II and potentially for the AMCA need to move at great speed, with strong support from the Government of India. Alongside this, there must be immediate investment in training Indian technicians and building the ecosystem for raw materials—especially superalloys, which are critical for aerospace engine manufacturing. Indian MSMEs, in particular, must take this opportunity seriously and become active participants in building a self-reliant aerospace ecosystem.
Q2. With COMAC challenging Boeing and Airbus, do you see a shift in the aerospace power balance from West to East? What implications does this hold for Indian aerospace players and policymakers?
Answer: It is indeed positive that COMAC is challenging the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus, because competition is always more beneficial than monopoly. However, it is too early to suggest a dramatic shift of power from West to East. What we may see is the emergence of a tripolar market: Boeing and Airbus will continue their global domination, while COMAC is likely to dominate within China. The real challenge for China remains in areas like certification, propulsion systems, and global support—domains where the West still holds a commanding edge. For Indian policymakers and industry players, this signals the need to carefully monitor developments and position India strategically to capture opportunities in both Eastern and Western markets.
Q3. Given the increasing technological rivalry between global superpowers, how critical is it for India to accelerate its investments in indigenous aerospace and defense capabilities?
Answer: It is absolutely critical—and also extremely challenging. In aerospace, the countries that control engines, flight-critical systems, certification, and MRO services essentially set the rules of the game. India already has momentum, but the next 5–10 years are crucial. We need to sprint ahead in engine certification, large-scale supplier development, and indigenous R&D. Encouragingly, the government has provided a major boost to MSMEs and is driving indigenous programmes such as the C-295 aircraft, 5th-generation fighters, AMCA, and the GE-HAL collaboration for the F-414 engine. Now, we must execute with speed and precision.
Q4. How do you think the success of China’s COMAC C929 could impact the commercial aviation sector in India, particularly for airlines looking to diversify beyond Boeing and Airbus?
Answer: Indian carriers may definitely look at the C929 as a potential alternative to Boeing and Airbus wide-body aircraft. However, the decisive factor will be certification. Unless COMAC achieves Western certification, the aircraft’s appeal outside China will remain limited. Indian airlines will therefore need to weigh their fleet decisions carefully, balancing opportunity with operational risk.
Q5. What role do you envision for Indian companies like TechEra in supporting commercial aviation, especially in areas like component manufacturing, systems integration, or automation?
Answer: Companies like TechEra are well-positioned to become critical Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in commercial aviation. While we acknowledge there is still room for improvement, we are already on track and expect to strengthen our capabilities significantly within the next six months. Our focus is on evolving into a systems integrator for automation with OEMs. We are planning to establish a special-process plant in the coming years, which will further enable us to support OEM requirements. In essence, TechEra is on the path to transition from a defense-and-aerospace specialist into a dual-use aerospace supplier—capable of machining critical components, automating aircraft sub-assemblies, and delivering world-class services. For example, our ongoing technical services with HAL Nashik have received highly positive feedback, underscoring our capability and reliability.
Q6. With China emerging as a serious aerospace contender, how can Indian firms stay competitive globally—not just as suppliers but as innovators and OEMs in their own right?
Answer: The most urgent requirement is to build “certification muscle” as early as possible. Without certification capability, Indian firms will remain dependent on foreign systems. Beyond that, we must aggressively leverage automation and adopt the “digital thread” approach across manufacturing. Another vital element is collaboration: public sector units like HAL and NAL must work hand-in-hand with private firms, while actively including MSMEs as equal partners in their ecosystem. This synergy is the only way Indian firms can move up the value chain and ultimately emerge as credible OEMs.
Q7. What is your vision for TechEra’s role in the next decade of aviation and automation—particularly in shaping India’s position as a technological and industrial hub in the global aerospace value chain?
Answer: I strongly believe that based on our current capabilities, combined with our improvement roadmap and entrepreneurial vision, TechEra will play a dual role in the next decade. First, as an automation-driven Tier 1/Tier 2 global supplier of critical aerospace components and systems. Second, as a catalyst in positioning India as a trusted aerospace hub. Our mission goes beyond supplying parts; it is about shaping India’s transition from being seen as a supplier nation to becoming a full-fledged OEM nation. We aim to demonstrate that Indian firms can deliver innovation, reliability, and global competitiveness at par with the best in the world.
