AP eyes strategic defence role post UAV missile test
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Vijayawada: A day after the successful trial of UAV launched precision guided missiles from Andhra Pradesh soil, the state govt has made a quick move to position itself as a leader in defence and aerospace manufacturing sectors.
A delegation of TDP MPs led by parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu met Union defence minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Friday and handed over a proposal from chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to set up defence manufacturing units in AP. They urged him to look into the series of landmark initiatives by the govt aimed at transforming the state into a strategic defence production hub.
Krishna Devarayalu said they have submitted a comprehensive defence development plan to make AP a leader state in attracting investments in the defence sector.
"The chief minister has emphasized on the establishment of four defence and aerospace manufacturing hubs in the state. The state govt has proposed two separate clusters — Jaggaiahpet and Donakonda with nearly 6,000 acres — for missile and ammunition production.
About 4,000 acres have been readied at Orvakal in Kurnool district to set up units for drones, robotics, and advanced components. The chief minister has also proposed an aircraft and defence electronics city at Lepakshi-Madakasira where we have identified about 10,000 acres.
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We want the Centre to make use of about 3,000 acres available in Visakhapatnam-Anakapalli for naval equipment and weapons testing," the Narasaraopet MP said.
The chief minister wants the Centre to set up the DRDO industry-academia centre of excellence at IIT-Tirupati and a common ammunition storage facility by the ministry of defence, Krishna Devarayalu added.
"The CM has sought support for defence investments and strategic projects, including the 2,400 crore BEL strategic complex at Palasamudram, and revival of UADNL's 60,000 TPA aluminium alloy plant in Nellore. The govt is ready to give land and provide required infrastructure for HAL's expansion project at Lepakshi," he said.
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