Andhra CM aims to make India ‘defence ready’ by reviving stalled aluminium projects & setting up air force stations

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has set his sights on transforming the state into a powerhouse for aerospace and defence industries. In a recent meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Naidu pitched an ambitious vision backed by a wish list of key projects aimed at catalysing this transformation.

Naidu’s appeal marks a bold step toward positioning Andhra Pradesh as a future-ready defence manufacturing hub, tapping into national security priorities while boosting local industry and employment.

Not only this, N. Chandrababu Naidu has also raised concerns over the stalled progress of Utkarsha Aluminium Dhatu Nigam Ltd (UADNL) a joint venture between Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHANI) and National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) over land dispute. The venture, envisioned as a 60,000 TPA high-end aluminium alloy plant in Nellore, was granted land back in 2017 was kept under hold.

Urging swift intervention, Naidu appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to revive the stalled plant and address lingering hurdles that are holding back its takeoff. Seeking the Centre’s strong backing, Naidu urged Singh to facilitate major investments from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and establish a new Air Force station in the state.

Also read: Land dispute postpones MIDHANI’s aluminium alloy project in Nellore district

Taking inspiration from the successful defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, he proposed the creation of five strategic hubs across Andhra Pradesh, each with the potential to evolve into a thriving ecosystem for aerospace and defence manufacturing –

• Jaggaiahpet–Donakonda (6,000 acres) - ideal for missile and ammunition manufacturing
• Lepakshi–Madakasira (10,000 acres) - well-suited for the production of civil and military aircraft as well as electronics
• Visakhapatnam–Anakapalli (3,000 acres) - is best for naval equipment manufacturing and weapons testing.
• Kurnool–Orvakal (4,000 acres) - positioned to support the development of military drones, robotics, and advanced defence components
• Tirupati - is envisioned as a centre for cutting-edge research and development in advanced defence technologies.

Naidu also welcomed Bharat Electronics Limited’s (BEL) ambitious proposal to invest INR 2,200 crore (US$265 million) in setting up a Defence Strategic Integrated Complex at Palasamudram, located in the Sri Satyasai district. He assured the Centre that Andhra Pradesh stands ready to roll out customised support and infrastructure to fast-track this game-changing facility.

Adding muscle to his grand defence vision for Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has urged the establishment of a DRDO Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence at IIT Tirupati, aiming to turn the premier institute into a hub for cutting-edge defence research and innovation. This Centre, he believes, will be the engine driving breakthrough technologies in areas like AI, cyber defence, and advanced materials.

In anticipation of receiving orders worth INR 2.5 lakh crore (US$ 30.12 billion) by FY26, he stated that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is ramping up production of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). Andhra Pradesh, he added, is keen to support this growth by providing land and necessary infrastructure for the expansion.

He also sought the notification of a seafront land parcel as a Marine and Underwater Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This would support both the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) based in Visakhapatnam and the National Advanced Offshore Base (NOAB). According to Naidu, the facility would significantly reduce the time and cost associated with underwater weapons testing, which is currently carried out overseas due to the lack of domestic infrastructure. With these ambitious proposals, Naidu has made it clear: Andhra Pradesh is not just ready to support India’s defence ambitions it’s ready to lead them.

Also Read: NATO highlights aluminium in its critical raw material list for defence industry

Image Source: PTI/ X