Bangalore: Defence Minister George Fernandes on February 6 asked civil and Defence aviation sectors to gear up to play to their full potential as these areas offered significant opportunities to overseas supplies.

He linked the assessment of cricket pandits, who always say "we are not playing to our full potential", to characterise the current status of civil and Defence aviation sectors in his inaugural address to the international seminar on "Aerospace Technologies: Development and Strategies" being held as part of the Aero India 2003.

Fernandes, giving a call to the technocrats and researchers, said the time was ripe to energise systematic efforts to boost production.

In this context, he remarked, "There are several World Cups to be won in aero space," and added the government had a healthy and open attitude towards extending co-operation in achieving mutuality of interest.

Fernandes said those who make decisions on investment in aeronautics technology and major aeronautical projects sometimes do not understand the nature and dynamics of the complex interactions involved.

He underlined the need to make Research and Development and production dynamic and adoptive in certain area, adding aerospace represented a major area of investment, particularly in Defence and civil sectors.

PTI