The increasing significance of the role of air power in warfare underscores the need to acquire might in air. This calls for military aircraft and all other associated equipment to be of high quality, reliability and state-of- the- art technology. The complexity of technology and the critical role of airborne equipment make Quality Assurance (QA) very significant.

The Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) was established in 1954 under the auspices of Department of Defence Production and Supplies, Ministry of Defence (M.O.D) as Directorate of Technical Development and Production (Air) [DTD&P; (Air)], under Defence Science Services (DSS). In 1979, DSS was trifurcated into Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS), Defence Quality Assurance Service (DQAS) and Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (DAQAS). R&D; Establishments and Certification Functions were transferred to Defence research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Quality Assurance and related responsibilities in respect of Defence Aeronautical Stores were vested with DTD&P;(Air). DTD&P;(Air) was subsequently rechristened as DGAQA in 1996. DAQAS is an Organised Group A Scientific Service.

The role envisaged for the organisation initially included development activities, inspection in the field of military aircraft, airborne systems and other aeronautical stores and their certification. It included R & D organizations like Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) and Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) . In the subsequent organizational changes, it continued as a QA organisation for Military Aviation with additional duties such as vendor development and related activities. Over the years, the organisation has acquired necessary strength and has grown into an active QA regulatory authority, in line with counterparts world-wide, in the field of military aircraft related stores for the services and para-military agencies within the country.