Puttaparthi: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is set to emerge as a strong defence shield for the nation through the establishment of multiple defence manufacturing units, including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. He stated that the AMCA initiative, led by the Aeronautical Development Agency would significantly contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The Chief Minister, along with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, laid foundation stones for the AMCA project and other defence sector initiatives in Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district. The leaders unveiled the plaque for the AMCA Integration and Flight Testing Project to be developed under the ADA, a wing of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). They also laid foundation stones for defence manufacturing units including Agneyastra Energetics under Kalyani Strategic Systems, along with facilities by Bharat Dynamics Limited and HFCL. Additionally, five drone manufacturing and technology companies planned for the Drone City at Orvakal were virtually inaugurated.
Later addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Chandrababu said Rayalaseema is no more a drought zone and it’s emerging as growth zone. Now, with the arrival of the AMCA project Puttaparthi will become a strategic defence hub of national importance. He noted that the project aligns with India’s push to modernise and strengthen defence capabilities and highlighted the Centre’s focus on developing next-generation stealth fighter aircraft. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said the drones used in the operation were manufactured and tested in Andhra Pradesh, showcasing the state’s defence potential.
The Chief Minister thanked Rajnath Singh for allocating the AMCA project to Andhra Pradesh and said the project would bring investments exceeding Rs 15,000 crore and generate 7,500 jobs. Puttaparthi, he said, would evolve into a key centre for fighter jet integration and flight testing.
The Chief Minister highlighted the speed at which the project moved forward as the foundation for this project was laid in just 36 days. Approvals were granted at jet speed. He added that several other defence-related projects are also being launched, including units by Bharat Forge, HFCL, Bharat Dynamics Limited and drone city initiatives in Kurnool district.
Emphasising the growing importance of drones in modern warfare and civilian applications such as agriculture, he said the coalition government decided to establish a dedicated drone manufacturing ecosystem at Orvakal.
The Chief Minister outlined Andhra Pradesh’s emerging strategic ecosystem including:
# Sriharikota as a centre for space power
# Nagayalanka for missile capabilities
# Puttaparthi for defence strength
# Visakhapatnam as a naval hub
Together, he said, these developments would transform Andhra Pradesh into a “defence shield for the nation.”
He also reiterated plans to transform Rayalaseema into a hub for steel, cement, solar, wind, pumped storage, defence, aerospace, electronics and space-related industries.
The Chief Minister also announced that gold production would soon begin at the Jonnagiri Gold Fields (JGF) in Kurnool district and added that 600 kg of gold will be produced this year,1,500 kg annually from the second year onward.
He said Andhra Pradesh is poised to become a major centre for gold production in the coming years.
Referring to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Chandrababu said rising imports of fuel and gold are putting pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves.
He urged citizens to adopt Prime Minister Modi’s seven-point savings agenda, adding that the Andhra Pradesh government had already begun reducing convoy vehicles and introducing cost-saving measures.
He also encouraged wider adoption of work-from-home practices and called upon citizens to convert present challenges into opportunities.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the AMCA project as a historic milestone for India’s defence sector and praised Andhra Pradesh for attracting global technology and defence investments by describing AP today stands for Advanced Pradesh.
He said Rayalaseema, where fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft would be developed, should evolve into a military-industrial complex. The Rs 15,000-crore project would include not just aircraft integration but also an advanced flight testing centre, placing India among a select group of countries with such capabilities.
He also noted that Bharat Dynamics Limited would invest Rs 480 crore in manufacturing advanced autonomous underwater systems and torpedoes, reducing India’s dependence on imports.
In the presence of Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, seven companies signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) involving investments worth Rs 4,460 crore creating employment opportunities for 6,400 youth. The companies include:
# Bharat Forge, Raghuvanshi Machine Tool,
# Sagar Defence Engineering, NIBE Group,
# PMT Defence, Chakravyuh Dynamics and Indus Bridge Ventures.
Before the foundation ceremony, the Defence Minister and Chief Minister viewed displays of AMCA models, missiles, torpedoes, grenades and advanced defence systems showcased by participating firms.
Minister Nara Lokesh, Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, BJP AP President PVN Madhav and others participated.
