IAF, IIT-Bombay join hands to strengthen India’s flight-testing capabilities

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force and IIT-Bombay have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to establish a collaborative framework for advanced academic training and research for flight-test professionals. The agreement aims to strengthen India’s expertise in military aviation and support the development of indigenous aerospace capabilities.

Signed on Wednesday, the MoA brings the Air Force Test Pilot School (AFTPS) at the IAF’s Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and IIT-Bombay together for a master’s-degree programme for flight-test crew, including test pilots and flight test engineers. The programme will combine the IAF’s specialized experience in flight testing with IIT Bombay’s academic, technological and research capabilities.

The collaboration is aimed at providing flight-test professionals with advanced academic and research exposure while strengthening expertise in a specialized area of military aviation. Flight testing plays a crucial role in evaluating the performance, safety and operational capabilities of aircraft and their systems before they are inducted into service.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen the connection between India’s defence testing establishments and academic institutions. The IAF said the partnership recognises flight testing as an integral and important aspect of accelerating the growth of India’s military aviation industry and is aligned with the broader mission of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance).

The collaboration is expected to contribute to the development of specialized manpower and indigenous technological capabilities in the military aerospace sector. It is also being seen as a step towards enhancing operational readiness and deepening technological self-reliance in a critical area of India’s defence ecosystem.

The signing ceremony was attended by Air Vice Marshal Ashish Srivastava, ACAS (projects), and professor Shireesh Kedare, director of IIT-Bombay.