Rajnath Singh Becomes First Defence Minister to Visit IAF’s Aerospace Medicine Institute

Bengaluru- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday became the first Defence Minister to visit the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) in Bengaluru. During his visit, he reviewed the institute’s role in pilot training, medical evaluation, and aeromedical research.

Singh inspected advanced facilities, including the Dynamic Flight Simulator & High-Performance Human Centrifuge used for high-G training of fighter pilots and the Spatial Disorientation Simulator, which helps pilots counter in-flight disorientation risks.

He also launched the ICMR Extramural Research Project: Centre for Advanced Research on Space Psychology, which focuses on astronaut selection and behavioral health training for Indian space missions.

Highlighting the increasing significance of aerospace medicine, Singh emphasized the need for enhanced R&D to tackle challenges in the aviation and space sectors. “Space has emerged as a major domain in warfare. As India advances in space technology, we must also explore new possibilities in aerospace medicine,” he stated.

Commending IAM’s contributions, Singh lauded its role in the design and development of key indigenous aircraft, including the Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter, and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

He asserted that the aerospace sector will be a driving force in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, playing a pivotal role in national security, space missions, and commercial space services.

Accompanying the Defence Minister were Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, and other senior IAF officials.