NEW DELHI: In a big boost for the country’s stealth aircraft programme, defence minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday laid the foundation stone for the core integration and flight testing centre at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district of the state to fast-track the development of 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and other future indigenous platforms.While the total outlay for the AMCA project is around Rs 15,000 crore, the facility is being established at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore. “Puttaparthi is set to join the exclusive league of global destinations from which a fifth-generation aircraft will take to the skies. It will become the birthplace of an aircraft capable of annihilating the enemy in the blink of an eye,” Rajnath said, calling the stone-laying ceremony as the “historic chapter in India’s defence history”.In another big development, a consortium of eight drone companies have joined forces to establish a Drone City in Kurnool. The defence minister said this region will soon be recognised as the ‘Drone Hub’ of the country.Rajnath and Naidu also laid the foundation stone for the naval systems manufacturing facility, a Rs 480-crore project of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), at T Sirasapalli village in Anakapalli district to cater to the requirements of advanced underwater weapon and naval combat systems. A defence energetics facility of Agneyastra Energetics Ltd, a subsidiary of Bharat Forge, is also being set up with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore, the defence ministry said. Various companies also exchanged MoUs with the Andhra govt to establish defence units in the state. An ammunition and electric fuse plant of HFCL Limited is also being established with an investment of around Rs 1,200 crore. Addressing a gathering at the event, Rajnath described the commencement of the projects as “truly historic”, asserting that Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing is a critical imperative to safeguard national interests in the current era of global turbulence.“These projects will cater to all the branches of the defence forces. Our objective is crystal clear: We are advancing with the resolute goal of achieving self-reliance in the defence sector, ensuring that the three services are future-ready. The projects will prove to be a milestone in the nation’s pursuit of self-reliance and Andhra Pradesh’s journey of development,” the minister said. Rajnath said projects will serve as powerful “growth poles”, resulting in massive employment generation.Praising the Andhra CM for his vision, technological focus and development-driven leadership, Rajnath said, “In my view, when it comes to Mr Naidu, thinking small is simply impossible. And the commitment with which he has worked for the development of Andhra, I want to say with conviction that it has been appreciated not only in India but also on international forums.”CM Naidu, on his part, said the AMCA project reflects the state’s “speed of doing business” as Andhra Pradesh aims to emerge as a major defence manufacturing hub. He commended the efforts of PM Modi and the defence minister towards strengthening India’s defence capabilities and modernising the military with a sustained focus on indigenisation and self-reliance. He stated that the nation’s preparedness and global standing in defence and aerospace sectors have been enhanced due to the continued emphasis on reforms, investment and innovation, the release said.He also described Op Sindoor as a proud example of India’s growing strength and technological progress and expressed confidence that the facilities, for which the foundation stones have been laid, will bolster the defence preparedness of the country and foster growth in the region.Naidu called upon the industries and entrepreneurs to “design-in-Andhra Pradesh, make-in-Andhra Pradesh, lead-from-Andhra Pradesh”, extending the state govt’s full cooperation.
