NE DEFENCE BUREAU
PUTTAPARTHI (AP), MAY 15
In a dramatic boost to India’s military modernisation and indigenous defence ambitions, Rajnath Sinegh and N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday unveiled a series of high-impact aerospace, naval and drone manufacturing projects that could redefine the country’s future warfighting capabilities.
Speaking at the Foundation Laying and Ground Breaking ceremony of various defence projects in Puttaparthi (AP). https://t.co/prKjbkv3tj
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 15, 2026
From India’s futuristic fifth-generation stealth fighter programme to underwater naval combat systems and an ambitious Drone City initiative, Andhra Pradesh emerged as the newest epicentre of India’s rapidly expanding defence-industrial ecosystem.
- Rajnath Singh and N. Chandrababu Naidu launch strategic defence and aerospace projects in Andhra Pradesh
- Foundation stone laid for AMCA Core Integration & Flight Testing Centre to accelerate India’s fifth-generation fighter jet programme
- Naval Systems Manufacturing Facility to produce advanced underwater weapons, torpedoes and combat systems
- Eight private firms collaborate to create futuristic Drone City in Kurnool, positioning Andhra Pradesh as India’s drone hub
- Defence production expected to touch record Rs 1.75 lakh crore within months, says Rajnath Singh
The high-profile ceremonies held in Puttaparthi and other strategic locations across Andhra Pradesh marked the launch of projects collectively aimed at transforming India into a global defence manufacturing powerhouse under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
India’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Dream Takes Off
The centrepiece of the mega announcement was the foundation stone laying for the Core Integration & Flight Testing Centre at Puttaparthi for the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The state-of-the-art facility, being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is being established at an estimated cost of around Rs 2,000 crore as part of the larger Rs 15,000 crore AMCA project.
Describing the development as “historic”, Rajnath Singh declared that Puttaparthi was set to enter the elite global league of locations capable of producing fifth-generation combat aircraft.
“Puttaparthi is set to join the exclusive league of global destinations from which a fifth-generation aircraft will take to the skies. It will become the birthplace of an aircraft capable of annihilating the enemy in the blink of an eye,” he said.
Massive Naval Weapons Hub To Strengthen Maritime Power
Another major milestone was the launch of the Naval Systems Manufacturing Facility at T Sirasapalli village in Anakapalli district by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
The Rs 480 crore project will manufacture advanced underwater weapon systems, autonomous underwater vehicles, next-generation torpedoes and underwater counter-measure technologies for the Indian Navy.
Officials said the facility would reduce India’s dependence on imported defence technologies and significantly enhance maritime security capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
Rajnath Singh called the project a potential “game-changer” for India’s Blue Economy and naval preparedness.
Andhra Pradesh Emerges As India’s Drone Capital
In another futuristic move, a consortium of eight private companies announced plans to establish a full-fledged Drone City in Kurnool — a project expected to position Andhra Pradesh as India’s next major drone technology hub.
Praising young entrepreneurs for their collaborative vision, the Defence Minister said drone warfare and unmanned systems are rapidly transforming modern battlefields.
“Drone technology has emerged as a true game changer in modern warfare. Just as Surat is known as the Diamond City and Bengaluru as India’s Silicon Valley, this region will soon be recognised as the Drone Hub of the nation,” he said.
Private Sector Push Reshaping Defence Manufacturing
Grounding ceremonies were also held for the Defence Energetics Facility of Agneyastra Energetics Limited, backed by Bharat Forge, with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore.
Additionally, HFCL Limited launched an Ammunition and Electric Fuse Plant worth around Rs 1,200 crore.
Rajnath Singh stressed that India’s defence manufacturing transformation is now being powered by a “Whole of People” approach where start-ups, MSMEs, innovators and private firms are actively contributing to national security.
“The Public-Private Partnership model has successfully transformed defence manufacturing into a mass movement,” he said.
Defence Production Nears Historic Record
Highlighting India’s rapid rise in defence manufacturing, Rajnath Singh revealed that defence production had surged from Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to nearly Rs 1.54 lakh crore today.
He expressed confidence that India would cross an all-time record of Rs 1.75 lakh crore in defence production within the next one or two months.
The Defence Minister also noted that defence exports had skyrocketed from around Rs 600 crore a decade ago to nearly Rs 40,000 crore at present.
Chandrababu Naidu Calls For ‘Design-In-Andhra’
Speaking at the event, N. Chandrababu Naidu hailed the Centre’s sustained push for defence indigenisation and praised initiatives like Operation Sindoor as examples of India’s technological and strategic advancement.
Calling upon industries and entrepreneurs to invest in Andhra Pradesh, Naidu declared:
“Design-in-Andhra Pradesh, Make-in-Andhra Pradesh, lead-from-Andhra Pradesh.”
He added that the “New Andhra Pradesh” was being built on the pillars of innovation, infrastructure and industrialisation and would play a leading role in India’s Viksit Bharat mission.
