Rajnath Singh Naidu to lay foundation stone for Rs 15 803 cr AMCA project in Andhra

    Amaravati, May 14 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu will lay the foundation stone for the Rs 15,803 crore AMCA programme infrastructure in Sri Sathya Sai district on May 15.
    The foundation stone-laying ceremony will mark the launch of several defence, aerospace, and drone manufacturing projects aimed at strengthening Andhra Pradesh’s position in high-technology manufacturing sectors, said a press release on Thursday.
    “The foundation stone for the Rs 15,803 crore Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme infrastructure at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district will be laid on May 15 by Singh and Naidu, along with the launch of multiple defence and drone manufacturing projects across the state,” the press release said.
    The event aligns with the Government of India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), aimed at promoting self-reliance and the rapid indigenisation of advanced defence technologies.
    The AMCA project, being established jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), will cover over 650 acres and is regarded as India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft programme.
    The project will feature stealth technology, twin-engine supercruise capability, and advanced avionics systems, representing one of the country’s most advanced aerospace initiatives, it said.
    Apart from fighter aircraft manufacturing, the project has also been designed to facilitate testing activities at the same location and is expected to generate employment for around 7,500 people.
    Besides the foundation-laying ceremony, the event will feature an AMCA exhibition and technology showcase, including scale models, mission simulations, avionics and systems displays, and interactive defence technology zones.
    The state government has additionally allocated 400 acres for ancillary industries linked to the AMCA ecosystem, which are likely to attract investments worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore, the press release said.
    Besides the AMCA project, foundation stones will also be laid for four defence manufacturing projects and eight drone-sector projects, collectively involving investments worth Rs 4,145 crore and generating employment for 6,071 people.
    The defence projects include units proposed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, HFCL, and Premier Explosives, spanning missiles, ammunition, energetics, defence propellants, and advanced systems manufacturing.
    Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh will also showcase its growing drone ecosystem in Kurnool district, featuring companies engaged in autonomous systems, AI-enabled drones, UAV manufacturing, robotics, surveillance technologies, aerospace components, and drone R&D.
    “The Government of Andhra Pradesh has been actively positioning the state as a preferred destination for high-technology manufacturing sectors by leveraging its industrial infrastructure, port connectivity, skilled workforce, and investor-friendly policies,” the press release said.
    The upcoming projects are expected to further strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s position in India’s evolving defence, aerospace, and drone manufacturing landscape, it added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)