Andhra Pradesh is set to become a major aerospace and defence manufacturing hub with the establishment of a fighter jet production and testing facility in Puttaparthi. The Andhra Pradesh cabinet has approved the allotment of nearly 600 acres of land to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme — India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet initiative.
The project is expected to attract investments of nearly ₹1 lakh crore and will support the manufacturing, assembly, and flight testing of around 140 AMCA fighter aircraft. The facility is being planned in collaboration with leading Indian private-sector defence and engineering companies including Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Forge.
The Puttaparthi location was strategically selected due to its proximity to Bengaluru’s aerospace ecosystem and the availability of dedicated airspace for flight testing operations. The facility will include aircraft integration lines, testing infrastructure, a dedicated flight-testing range, and residential and research infrastructure for scientists and engineers.
The project marks a significant milestone in India’s defence self-reliance mission and reflects increasing participation of private industry in advanced military aircraft manufacturing and next-generation aerospace technologies.
Why This Matters
• Strengthens India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme
• Positions Andhra Pradesh as a major aerospace and defence manufacturing hub
• Supports the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” defence self-reliance initiative
• Accelerates private-sector participation in advanced defence manufacturing
• Boosts high-value investments, employment, and industrial infrastructure in the region
• Enhances India’s long-term aerospace innovation and strategic defence capabilities