Chandrababu Naidu Advocates for Major Defence Industrial Corridor
N Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has proposed a significant shift in India’s defense manufacturing landscape by suggesting the relocation of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) production facilities from Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh. This ambitious plan includes offering 10,000 acres of land at the Lepakshi-Madakasira hub, located just an hour from Bengaluru airport, to establish a new production facility. Naidu’s proposal aims to create a defense industrial corridor in Andhra Pradesh, which would enhance the state’s role in India’s defense sector.
Proposed Defense Industrial Corridor
Naidu’s proposal for the defense industrial corridor encompasses a vast area of 23,000 acres across Andhra Pradesh, designed to support various defense manufacturing initiatives. This corridor would include five strategic hubs, each focusing on different aspects of defense production. The Chief Minister presented these plans during a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, emphasizing the need for a robust infrastructure to support HAL’s operations. The proposed corridor aims to leverage existing manufacturing capabilities while attracting private sector investments, ultimately boosting domestic production of defense and aerospace equipment.
The Lepakshi-Madakasira hub is envisioned as the primary center for AMCA manufacturing. Naidu highlighted the constraints faced by HAL in Bengaluru, suggesting that Andhra Pradesh could provide more land and better policy incentives to facilitate growth. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce India’s dependency on defense imports and enhance its export capabilities in the global market.
Strategic Hubs and Infrastructure Development
The proposed defense corridor will feature several strategic hubs, each dedicated to specific defense projects. One notable hub is the Visakhapatnam-Anakapalli area, which spans 3,000 acres and is earmarked for Naval Equipment and Weapons Testing. This site is expected to support both the Eastern Naval Command and the National Advanced Offshore Base, enhancing India’s naval capabilities.
Another significant component of the proposal is the Jaggiahpet-Donakonda hub, which aims to establish an Indian Air Force (IAF) station at Donakonda. This hub will cover 6,000 acres and include an operational air base, logistics facilities, a training center, and a research and development complex for the IAF. Additionally, Naidu’s plan includes a 4,000-acre center at Kurnool-Orvakal for the production of military drones, robotics, and advanced defense components, further diversifying the state’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
HAL’s Future Production Plans
HAL is anticipating substantial growth in its production capabilities, with projected orders worth Rs 2.5 trillion by 2026-27. The company is ramping up production of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Light Combat Helicopters to meet this demand. Naidu’s proposal positions Andhra Pradesh as a key player in supporting HAL’s expansion, with the state ready to provide the necessary infrastructure to facilitate increased production.
The Chief Minister’s discussions with various cabinet ministers during his recent visit to the capital further underscore the importance of this initiative. By engaging with leaders from different sectors, Naidu aims to garner support for the defense corridor and ensure its successful implementation. This initiative not only promises to enhance India’s defense manufacturing capabilities but also aims to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the region.
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