ISRO Chief Highlights India’s Space Vision at 17th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, June 27, 2026: The 17th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture was held at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Management Academy Auditorium in Bengaluru on Saturday, bringing together senior leaders from India’s defence, aerospace, and space sectors to discuss the nation’s future in aviation and space technology.
The annual memorial lecture was organised by the Air Force Association (AFA), Karnataka Branch, in association with the HAL Bengaluru Branch, to honour the legacy of Air Chief Marshal Laxman Madhav Katre, one of India’s most distinguished aviation leaders, whose contributions significantly shaped the country’s aerospace ecosystem.
The event was presided over by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary, Department of Space, who attended as the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address on “Indian Space Programme: The Challenges and Way Forward.”
Among the distinguished attendees were Air Marshal S. Shrinivas, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, along with senior officials and professionals from the Indian Air Force (IAF), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), HAL, and several allied aerospace and defence industries.
The programme commenced with an invocation performed by students of the Air Force School, Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). Delivering the welcome address, Air Marshal H.B. Rajaram (Retd.), President of the Air Force Association Karnataka Branch, reflected on the vision behind the annual memorial lecture and paid tribute to Air Chief Marshal Katre’s remarkable career spanning more than four decades in the Indian Air Force and HAL. He highlighted Katre’s pioneering role in strengthening India’s aviation capabilities and advancing indigenous aerospace development.
The Chairman and Managing Director of HAL also addressed the gathering, highlighting the longstanding strategic partnership between HAL and the Indian Air Force and its contribution to strengthening India’s defence preparedness through indigenous aircraft, helicopters, engines, and aerospace technologies.
In his keynote address, Dr. Narayanan outlined India’s ambitious space roadmap under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. He stressed that the country’s future leadership in space technology would depend on stronger collaboration between ISRO, the Indian Air Force, and HAL, describing interoperability among the three organisations as essential for achieving national strategic objectives.
Paying tribute to the late Air Chief Marshal LM Katre, Dr. Narayanan acknowledged his visionary leadership in laying the foundation for India’s modern aviation and aerospace industry. He noted that the close cooperation between ISRO, HAL, and the IAF has played a pivotal role in advancing India’s defence and space capabilities over the decades.
A commemorative souvenir marking the 17th Annual Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture was officially released by the Chief Guest during the event.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Air Commodore A.K. Patra (Retd.), Vice President of the Air Force Association Karnataka Branch, who expressed gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration across India’s defence and aerospace sectors.
The memorial lecture continues to serve as an important platform for strategic dialogue, recognising the legacy of one of India’s aviation pioneers while promoting innovation and cooperation among the country’s leading aerospace institutions.
— IBG NEWS
