Amaravati, May 7 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh has secured a major Aircraft Integration and Flight Testing Complex for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district, with the state extending full support for the strategic aerospace project.
The proposed facility, to be established by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is expected to play a key role in advancing India's indigenous combat aircraft and unmanned aerial systems programmes.
"Andhra Pradesh has secured the proposed Aircraft Integration and Flight Testing Complex for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme at Puttaparthi, reinforcing the state's emergence as a key destination for aerospace and defence manufacturing," said an official press release late on Wednesday.
The project has received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Defence following consultations between the government of Andhra Pradesh and the Centre under the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
As part of the approved framework, the Andhra Pradesh government will allocate a total of 350 acres, including 150 acres adjoining the Puttaparthi runway for the Aircraft Integration and Flight Testing Complex and another 200 acres for a satellite office complex and residential township.
The government will also facilitate extension of the runway to 10,000 feet, besides developing aviation infrastructure including an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, navigation systems and meteorological support facilities.
The proposed facility will support aircraft assembly, systems integration and flight testing activities for the AMCA programme and other future combat aviation platforms being developed in India.
Similarly, in another boost to the aerospace ecosystem, the Andhra Pradesh government has authorised Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) to initiate development of industrial land banks, including 300 acres earmarked for private industry partners to establish aerospace and defence manufacturing facilities around the project.
The integrated ecosystem is expected to attract investments in avionics, propulsion systems, precision engineering, unmanned aerial platforms, advanced materials and defence electronics manufacturing.
The project is also expected to create opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), suppliers, research partnerships and skill development institutions in the region.
The Industries and Commerce Department has been authorised to execute necessary agreements and coordination mechanisms with ADA, DRDO and the Ministry of Defence for expeditious implementation of the project.