By Cdr Rahul Verma (Retd)
In the dynamic landscape of military technology, policy acts as a catalyst for innovation, driving investment, research, and development towards strategic objectives. It creates the framework within which technological advancements can be harnessed to enhance national security and defence capabilities along with ensuring flight safety. Despite significant efforts to enhance aircraft safety, accidents still occur. Since its establishment in 1944, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has played a crucial role in setting global safety standards for civil aviation, leading to a reduction in crashes, particularly post-1970s, despite the rising number of flights annually. In contrast, there are no universally adopted rules for military aviation, where risk tolerance is higher due to their operations, often involving explosive ordnance. Each nation bears the responsibility to ensure military aircraft operations don’t compromise civilian flight safety. While Military Aviation Authorities (MAAs) generally align their regulations with ICAO principles, compliance isn’t mandatory. MAAs share common goals, but cross-interpretation of regulations is complex and resource-intensive, demanding dedicated efforts.
An aviation session on “Challenges and Road Map to Certification and Qualification of Indigenous Systems” was held during the 2nd Edition of the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenization (NIIO) Seminar – ‘Swavlamban 2023’ from Oct 4 – 5, 2023, which had amply emphasised on this bill. All the speakers had dwelled that ‘No machine can be built which never fails ‘or’ No human could be found who never commits error.’ Consequently, all modes of transportation have to tolerate a certain amount of risk or lack of safety. The ‘level of safety’ becomes a complex concern when formulating standards because achieving absolute safety is hypothetical and can only be realized at an infinite cost. Therefore, the airworthiness standards need to strike a balance between safety concerns, cost, and practicability from a design and manufacturing perspective. A fundamental difference between civil and military airworthiness and certifications lies in the fact that military aircraft designs often incorporate technologies that are not yet proven to their maturity to gain a slight edge over their contemporaries.
There has been a significant development within the Indian legislative landscape, which has missed the attention due to the ongoing festival of democracy. The Draft Indian Military Airworthiness Bill 2024 has been introduced, aiming to fortify the safety standards and regulatory framework concerning military aircraft operations within the country. The bill, likely to be tabled in the Parliament this year, has ignited debates and discussions among policymakers and aviation experts alike. The detailed draft bill is available at the DGAQA website https://dgaeroqa.gov.in from 16 Apr 24.
The proposed legislation seeks to address longstanding concerns regarding the airworthiness and safety protocols governing military aircraft utilized by the Indian Armed Forces. With a primary focus on enhancing safety measures and ensuring compliance with internationally recognized standards, the bill outlines stringent guidelines and procedures to be adhered to by defence establishments and aircraft manufacturers. One of the key provisions of the bill entails the establishment of a specialized regulatory authority dedicated to overseeing the airworthiness certification process for military aircraft. This authority will be entrusted with the responsibility of conducting thorough inspections, audits, and assessments to ascertain the compliance of aircraft with prescribed safety norms and technical specifications. This authority has been in known as Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), is a regulatory body under DRDO, vested with the responsibility of Airworthiness certification of military Aircraft, Helicopter, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Aero-engines, Air launched weapons and other Airborne stores. One other important pillar towards military airworthiness is the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), which is an organisation under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. This organisation is the regulatory authority for Quality Assurance and final acceptance of Military Aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Aero Engines, Airborne Systems, Avionics, Armaments, Consumables (FOL Stores), Allied Ground Systems and Missiles during Design & Development, Production, Repair, Modification and Overhaul/ Repair at various Defence PSUs, Ordnance Factories and Private Firms.It also ensures QA requirements during acquisition of defence aeronautical stores by Ministry of Defence as per the provision of DDP & DPM. This bill intends to empower both these organisation
Furthermore, the bill underscores the imperative of fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing between relevant stakeholders, including defence agencies, aviation authorities, and industry representatives. By fostering a conducive environment for exchange of expertise and best practices, the legislation endeavours to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in the realm of military aviation safety. Here are some references to regulations and rules governing military aircraft airworthiness in the United States and Europe:
United States Department of Defence (DoD) Instruction. This instruction provides guidance on the management of military aviation safety within the United States Department of Defence. It outlines policies and procedures for ensuring the airworthiness of military aircraft and related systems.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulation. While primarily applicable to civilian aircraft, Part 25 of the FAA regulations contains airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. Some aspects of these standards may also be relevant to military aircraft design and certification, particularly for joint military-civilian platforms.
Military Standard (MIL-STD) 882E. This standard, titled “System Safety Program Requirements,” is used by the U.S. military to establish safety requirements for military systems, including aircraft. It provides guidelines for identifying and mitigating hazards throughout the system lifecycle.
Department of Defence (DoD) Directive 5030.61. It was promulgated in May 2013 to resolve two major issues, i.e differences in US service airworthiness policy, especially for the flight in foreign owned aircraft and airworthiness policy harmonization across DoD, particularly non service specific AW organisation.
Europe
European Defence Agency (EDA) – Military Airworthiness Authorities (MAWA): The EDA collaborates with European Union member states to establish common standards and procedures for military airworthiness. The MAWA network facilitates coordination among national military airworthiness authorities to ensure interoperability and safety of military aircraft.
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): While primarily responsible for civilian aviation safety regulation in Europe, EASA also plays a role in military airworthiness through cooperation agreements with individual EU member states. EASA’s expertise and regulations may influence certain aspects of military aircraft certification and operation.
NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4671: STANAG 4671 provides guidelines for the airworthiness certification of military aircraft within the NATO member states. It aims to harmonize airworthiness requirements and procedures to facilitate interoperability and cooperation among allied nations.
These references reflect the diverse regulatory landscape governing military aircraft airworthiness in the United States and Europe, encompassing both national and international standards and guidelines. We are in need to create regulation in their parlance, since the GoI bid to support exports in military equipment would need our OEMs to be of world standards.
In addition to bolstering the regulatory framework, the Indian Military Airworthiness Bill 2024 also emphasizes the significance of robust maintenance, training, and operational practices to uphold the airworthiness of military aircraft throughout their service life. Provisions aimed at enhancing personnel competency and proficiency, coupled with periodic maintenance and inspection regimes, are envisaged to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity and reliability of the Indian Armed Forces’ aviation assets.
While the bill has garnered commendation for its proactive approach towards enhancing aircraft safety standards, it has also evoked apprehensions regarding its potential implications on defence procurement timelines and operational readiness. Critics argue that the stringent regulatory requirements may inadvertently lead to delays in the acquisition and deployment of vital military assets, thereby posing challenges to national security preparedness.
I would once again invoke Winston Churchill’s words, “Safety does not come out of the blue. It is the child of constant vigilance,” emphasizing the critical role of military airworthiness and certification in building trust and ensuring safety. As the Indian Military Airworthiness Bill 2024 progresses through the legislative process, it remains subject to further deliberations, amendments, and consultations to address the diverse perspectives and concerns raised by stakeholders.
I would like to conclude by saying, “Policy shapes the trajectory of military technology, guiding research priorities and investment decisions to address emerging threats and operational challenges. Through strategic planning and resource allocation, policy accelerates the adoption of transformative technologies that bolster our defence capabilities. With safety and operational efficiency standing as paramount considerations, the formulation and implementation of effective regulatory measures hold the key to ensuring the airworthiness and reliability of India’s military aviation fleet in the years to come.”
The author is an Emerging Technology and Prioritization Scout for a leading Indian Multi National Corporation, focusing on advancing force modernization through innovative technological applications and operational concepts. With 21 years as a Naval Aviator, including a distinguished role in the Indian Navy’s Technology Development Acceleration Cell, he brings diverse aviation experiences, from Seaking Pilot to RPAS Mission Commander and Flying Instructor.
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