When the Aerospace & Defence MRO South Asia Summit 2026 concluded earlier this year, one of its most important outcomes was not a new maintenance facility, policy announcement, or investment commitment. Instead, it was the emergence of a practical roadmap to address one of the Indian aviation industry’s most pressing challenges, developing a sustainable, skilled workforce for the country’s rapidly expanding aerospace and MRO sector.
Several months later, that conversation is steadily gaining momentum.
At the centre of this effort remains Air Marshal R.K.S. Shera (Retd.), whose post-service mission has increasingly focused on creating structured pathways for skilled defence technicians to transition into India’s civil aviation ecosystem. What began as a discussion around Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) training opportunities for retiring defence personnel is now evolving into a broader national workforce development initiative involving regulators, academia, industry stakeholders and government institutions.
India’s MRO growth story needs skilled people
India’s ambition to become a global aviation and MRO hub is no longer in question. Fleet expansion, airline growth, airport development, indigenous manufacturing initiatives and favourable policy reforms have all created strong momentum for the sector.
However, beneath this growth lies a critical challenge.
The country continues to face a shortage of licensed aircraft maintenance engineers, certified technicians and specialised aerospace professionals. At the same time, thousands of highly trained personnel retire from the Armed Forces every year with extensive experience in aircraft maintenance, avionics, propulsion systems, structures and technical operations. Yet many of these professionals’ face difficulties transitioning into civil aviation because of certification and licensing requirements.
The result is a talent gap that the industry can no longer afford to ignore.
Building the Civil-Defence talent bridge
Air Marshal Shera has consistently advocated for a structured mechanism that recognises military technical expertise while enabling personnel to acquire the regulatory qualifications required for civil aviation careers. His vision goes beyond resettlement.
Instead, it focuses on creating a sustainable talent pipeline capable of supporting India’s long-term aerospace ambitions. By leveraging the experience of defence technicians and integrating them into the civil ecosystem through targeted education, certification and industry exposure, India can address workforce shortages while preserving valuable technical knowledge.
This approach aligns closely with the industry’s growing demand for maintenance professionals as airlines continue to induct new-generation aircraft and engines, while MRO providers expand capabilities across airframes, engines, components and modifications.
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya emerging as a key enabler
A crucial pillar of this initiative is the role being played by Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV). Positioned as a specialised Central University focused on transportation, logistics and infrastructure, GSV has already demonstrated a willingness to work closely with the aviation sector. Its collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on industry-aligned Aircraft Maintenance Engineering education represents an important step toward developing future-ready aerospace talent.
The proposed framework involving defence personnel, GSV and regulatory stakeholders could provide accelerated pathways that recognise prior military learning while supplementing it with DGCA-compliant academic and licensing requirements. Such a model would not only shorten the transition period for retiring defence personnel but also help address workforce shortages more efficiently.
DGCA’s role in workforce transformation
No workforce development strategy can succeed without regulatory support, and the DGCA remains central to the success of this initiative. The regulator has increasingly demonstrated its commitment to strengthening India’s aviation talent ecosystem through educational partnerships, training standardisation and industry engagement. As India prepares for one of the world’s fastest-growing commercial aviation markets, the need for internationally recognised maintenance standards and qualified personnel has become more critical than ever.
The collaboration between academia, industry and regulators reflects a growing recognition that workforce development must advance alongside infrastructure expansion and fleet growth.
Beyond infrastructure, towards capability building
India’s aviation policy discussions have traditionally focused on airports, connectivity, manufacturing and infrastructure investments. While these remain important, industry leaders increasingly acknowledge that future competitiveness will depend equally on human capital.
Aircraft hangars, engine shops and manufacturing facilities require skilled engineers, technicians, inspectors, planners and specialists to operate effectively. Without a sufficiently trained workforce, even the most ambitious infrastructure investments risk underperforming.
This is why workforce development is becoming a national priority.
The efforts being championed by Air Marshal Shera complement broader government initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem. They recognise that the country’s aspiration to become a global MRO destination cannot be achieved solely through policy incentives and infrastructure development; it must also be supported by a steady pipeline of qualified professionals.
From discussion to action
One of the most encouraging aspects of the initiative is that it has moved beyond theoretical discussions.
The Aerospace & Defence MRO South Asia Summit 2026 successfully brought together regulators, defence leadership, academia and industry stakeholders to examine practical solutions to workforce challenges. The conversations initiated at the summit are now helping shape actionable pathways that could serve as a model for future workforce development programmes.
For airlines, MRO providers, OEMs and training organisations, this presents an opportunity to actively participate in creating apprenticeship programmes, certification pathways and recruitment pipelines that can absorb experienced technical talent into the civil sector.
The Next chapter for Indian aerospace
India’s aviation sector is entering a defining decade. Airlines are ordering hundreds of aircraft, airport infrastructure is expanding, MRO capabilities are growing, and indigenous aerospace manufacturing is receiving unprecedented attention.
Yet behind every aircraft delivery, maintenance check, engine overhaul and flight operation stands a skilled workforce.
Air Marshal R.K.S. Shera’s continued efforts to bridge the gap between defence expertise and civil aviation requirements represent more than a workforce initiative, they represent a strategic investment in India’s aerospace future. Supported by institutions such as DGCA and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, this evolving framework offers a practical blueprint for developing the skilled talent pool that will be required to sustain India’s aviation growth story for decades to come.
If the first phase was about recognising the opportunity, the next phase is about execution. And for India’s aerospace and MRO industry, that execution may ultimately become one of the sector’s most important success stories.
