Executive Team
Group Captain E R Rajappan (Retd)
Chairman & Managing Director
Gp Capt ER Rajappan (Retd) is a highly experienced Defence, Aviation, Aerospace, Management and Leadership expert with more than three decades of 33 years of service in IAF and one year experience with United Nations Mission in DR Congo. He was Airport Director of five IAF aerodromes and has vast experience in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of airport, airport infrastructure and radio navigational aids. He is techno savvy and; thinker, author and an international speaker on Airport Emergency Services.
He is an ex-scholar of Centre for Air Power Studies (New Delhi) and has published papers on various topics; UN, airpower, airport services and defence etc. He was bestowed with a life membership by Aeronautical Society of India for his contribution towards developing computer based Information Management System for Air Traffic Controllers.
He is an avid advocate of MAKE IN INDIA and ATMA NIRBHAR BHARAT programme and wants to contribute towards creating indigenous capacity for manufacturing aerospace, aviation and defence components. In order to access latest technologies in the aerospace, aviation and defence industries, he plans to collaborate with industry leaders from across the globe. His mission is to make global standard components for Aerospace, Aviation & Defence OEMs in India and abroad. He is a Senior Member of Aerospace & Defence Consultants Association (ADCAI)one of India’s largest Think Tank on Technology.
Board of Advisors
Wg Cdr AV Joshi (Retd)
Wg Cdr AV Joshi, is a highly acclaimed Aeronautical Engineer, Aviator of IAF and former Scientist of DRDO. He has 23 years of hands-on experience with IAF in MRO and flying of Military aircraft. He was absorbed in DRDO because of his vast experience in IAF. He has served for another 15 years as Senior Scientist in DRDO and Additional Director( (Systems) in CEMILAC.
His area of specialisation is Design &Development Airborne Systems and certification of systems for Military Aircraft . He has almost four decades of experience in the Aerospace and Defence domain and is well versed with Industry 4.0 and 5.0 solutions for Aircraft, Drones and Space systems . He is the Head of Design, Development, Production and Airworthiness certification of Shivayu Aerospace & Defence Pvt Ltd’s airborne equipment/systems.
Sumit Lakhera B Tech, M Des (Domus Academy Milan Italy)
Sumit Lakhera has more than 10 years of experience in Design, Prototyping and Manufacturing experience in India, USA, Germany, Italy and China. He is an accomplished Ideator, Designer, 3D Printing Expert, Automation Expert (automotive, aerospace & medical products), Manufacturing Engineering and Process Engineering.
He is proficient in the use of CAD/CAM software and recipient of ideator of the Year (2018) Mercedes Benz and Runner Up ARPA e-LITECAR Design Challenge (USA), Best Digital Manufacturing project (TATA), presented Future Manufacturing to Dalmar Benz Germany, World’s Top 10 Business Plan and he has participated in several product design challenges in IDEX Defence, Agriculture, Environment and Automotive.
Sharada Jena B Tech, IMP IIM Bangalore
Aerospace & Defence Engineering Process Management
Sharada Jena is a Mechanical Engineer and has attended Executive Management Programme from IIM-Bangalore, and Toulouse Business School-France, specializing in Aerospace and Aviation. In the past, he has also served early-stage start-ups as a founding member by contributing to new ideas, innovation, Business Development, Business Strategy & Management
Sarada Jena is an Aerospace & Defence industry expert, an innovator, and a mentor with more than 17 years of international experience serving Global Aerospace and Locomotives OEMs. He has served global giants like Bombardier Aerospace, Dassault Aviation, Embraer Aerospace, Collins Aerospace, Mahindra Satyam, and General Motors with various capacities before starting his entrepreneurial journey. He is an expert in Product Design, Engineering, and Program Management. He has experience working in the USA and Europe in a multicultural cultural, and cross-functional work environment
Wing Commander Anil Nair (Retd)
Legal Advisor
Wing Commander Anil Nair (Retd) has obtained BSc from Kerala University, LL B from Delhi University and LLM from National Law University Jodhpur. He has served the Indian Air Force initially as a Logistic Officer and later as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer for 15 years. During his legal career spanning 15 years, he has handled civil and Military cases of various nature including conducting around 50 Courts Martial as Judge Advocate. Represented Air Force in various Courts including Supreme Court, High Courts and Tribunals. He has deep knowledge in Corporate Laws and is also a specialist in HR Management