Chandrababu Naidu-led government has prepared plans for investments in the defense sector. A new defense policy will be announced soon with the aim of attracting investments of Rs 30,000 crore in the next five years. Guidelines for setting up four defense industrial nodes have been included in it.
The AP government has decided to acquire about 15,000 acres for industries coming with investments. The center is developing two defense industrial corridors in the country. They have already been allocated to other states. There is no possibility of the center allowing another corridor in this sector.
Officials say that the government has prepared guidelines in a new policy for the development of four defense industrial nodes in the state. A huge node is expected to be developed between Lepakshi in Anantapur district and Orvakal in Kurnool district. It will be connected to the national highway.
Since it is close to Bangalore, it is expected that there will be a possibility of attracting giant companies to set up defense industries. Officials have proposed the development of another node between Nellore and Donakonda. A large area of government land is available near Donakonda. It is expected that developing a node close to Ramayapatnam port will provide opportunities for exports.
The government plans to develop another node near Visakhapatnam. It is expected that at least 2,000 acres will be acquired for this. Officials have proposed another defense node near Jaggayyapet. Officials say that about 2,000 acres have already been identified for this.
Bharat Electronics Limited, one of the Navaratnas, will set up a Defense System Integrated Complex near Palasamudram in Sri Sathya Sai district with an investment of Rs 14 billion. The Andhra Pradesh government has already handed over the necessary lands to the company. The company will set up a radar, weapon integration and testing center.
Bharat Forge subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited has signed an agreement with the AP government to set up a defense manufacturing unit in Madakashir in Sri Sathya Sai district. The company will invest Rs 2,400 crore in two phases. The government has allocated 1,000 acres for setting up a missile and warhead manufacturing unit.
Media Matrix Worldwide Limited has already signed an agreement with the government to invest Rs 11.97 billion to set up an artillery ammunition shell, TNT filling and multimode hand grenade manufacturing unit in Madakasira for the defense sector.
