Defence Minister Reviews Aerospace Medicine Capabilities at IAF Institute in Bengaluru

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on March 9, 2025. During the visit, he reviewed the institute’s role in pilot training, medical evaluation, and aeromedical research.

The minister inspected key facilities, including the Dynamic Flight Simulator, High-Performance Human Centrifuge for high-G training of fighter pilots, and the Spatial Disorientation Simulator used for training armed forces pilots. He also launched the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Extramural Research Project: Centre for Advanced Research at the institute. The project, titled "Space Psychology: Selection and Behavioural Health Training of Astronauts & Astronaut Designates for Indian Space Missions," focuses on astronaut selection and mental health training.

Singh emphasized the increasing importance of aerospace medicine in addressing challenges such as microgravity, radiation exposure, and the physiological and psychological effects of space travel. He noted that research in advanced aerospace medicine could contribute to various technological fields.

IAM provides aeromedical consultancy in crew module design and cockpit ergonomics. It has contributed to the design and development of the Advanced Light Helicopter, Light Utility Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter, and Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. The institute is also involved in the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

The visit was attended by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, and other senior IAF officers.