Andhra Pradesh Hosts Foundation Stone Ceremony for AMCA Project

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Rs 15803 crore Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme infrastructure at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district on May 15, marking a major step in India’s indigenous defence and aerospace ambitions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chandrababu Naidu described the AMCA project as a testament to the “speed of doing business” in Andhra Pradesh and highlighted its significance in strengthening India’s self-reliance in advanced defence technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Referring to “Operation Sindoor” as an example of India’s growing technological strength, the Chief Minister said the AMCA programme would showcase the capabilities of India’s defence sector and reinforce indigenous combat aircraft manufacturing using homegrown technologies.

The AMCA project, being jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), is regarded as India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft programme. Spread across more than 650 acres, the project will feature stealth technology, twin-engine supercruise capability, and advanced avionics systems.

Naidu noted that the project is expected to generate employment opportunities for around 7,500 people and support the development of a dedicated aerospace and defence ecosystem in the region.

The event also marked the launch of several defence, aerospace, and drone manufacturing projects aimed at strengthening Andhra Pradesh’s position in high-technology manufacturing sectors.

According to the state government, an additional 400 acres have been allocated for ancillary industries linked to the AMCA ecosystem, which are expected to attract investments worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore.

Alongside the AMCA programme, foundation stones were laid for four defence manufacturing projects and eight drone-sector projects involving a combined investment of Rs 4145 crore and expected employment generation of 6071 jobs.

The defence projects include facilities proposed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), HFCL, and Premier Explosives, covering missiles, ammunition, energetics, defence propellants, and advanced systems manufacturing.

The event also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s expanding drone ecosystem, particularly in Kurnool district, where companies are focusing on autonomous systems, AI-enabled drones, UAV manufacturing, robotics, surveillance technologies, aerospace components, and drone R&D.

An AMCA exhibition and technology showcase formed part of the event, featuring scale models, mission simulations, avionics and systems displays, and interactive defence technology zones.

The Andhra Pradesh government stated that the new projects would further strengthen the state’s position in India’s evolving defence, aerospace, and drone manufacturing landscape through its industrial infrastructure, skilled workforce, port connectivity, and investor-friendly policies.