SYNOPSIS

The aerospace and defence industry is going through a phase of unprecedented change. New technologies, changing geopolitical landscapes, and shifting customer expectations are challenging traditional business models and opening up new opportunities. In this keynote address, Damodaran Subramanian, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, will share his insights on the current state and future of the aerospace and defence industry.

He will discuss the key challenges facing the industry, including the impact of COVID-19, supply chain disruptions, and changing customer requirements. He will also highlight the emerging opportunities in areas such as electric aviation, urban air mobility, and defence modernization. Finally, he will share his views on the role of innovation, collaboration, and talent development in shaping the future of the aerospace and defence industry.

Speaker

Damodaran is currently holding an advisory leadership position as a Vice President in the Aerospace and Defence Business unit of AVTEC, a CK Birla Group. Before this, Managing Director at SAFRAN Engineering Services India, Led 400 Engineering Experts in Aerospace & Defence Product Development, Engineering, Control Software development, Manufacturing engineering & Product support engineering.

He started his career in 1990 in the Heavy Automobile Manufacturing Company Ashok Leyland; later, he worked in a Detroit-based Engineering company EASI managing the Offshore Engineering Services for US and European customers.

Damodaran Subramanian

He joined AVTEC in 2021 and Safran Engineering Services in Nov 2004. Over the years, he held various key positions and was responsible for developing offshore talents and services for global automotive, aerospace, railway majors and Indian defence industries. He started his SAFRAN career as Director – of Systems Design and worked on several transnational projects, including B787, A380 and A350 for Boeing and Airbus. He was responsible for Key account management for Safran Landing Systems (earlier MESSIER-BUGATTI- DOWTY) for the global SES business from 2012 – 2014. Before taking up the role of Managing Director, he held the position of Senior Vice President – Responsible for Business Development, Strategy, Innovation and Delivery of Engineering Business at SES India.

Damodaran holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from CIT Sandwich Polytechnic and Bachelor's & Master’s degree in Systems & Information from BITS Pilani. In addition, he underwent several management programs at SAFRAN University, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore. Currently, he is a PhD Scholar in the field of Cognitive Artificial Intelligence at Christ University, Bangalore.

He is also well-connected with SAE INTERNATIONAL and SAE INDIA Aerospace Board and currently Chairman of the SAE INDIA Bangalore Section.