Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday underscored the importance of indigenous defence manufacturing, stating that India cannot depend on other countries for its national security needs. He made the remarks after laying the foundation stone for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project and several allied defence manufacturing facilities in Andhra Pradesh.
The ceremony was held in Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district, where Singh described the initiative as a significant milestone in India’s defence development journey. He said the push towards self-reliance in critical military technologies would substantially strengthen the country’s long-term security architecture and strategic capabilities.
The AMCA project, being developed under the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will house a core integration, development, and flight-testing complex for India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft programme. Officials said the facility will play a central role in advancing indigenous combat aircraft capabilities.
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Spread across nearly 650 acres, the complex is estimated to cost around ₹15,803 crore and will function as a national hub for aircraft integration, validation, testing, and certification. Singh highlighted that only a limited number of countries possess such advanced flight-testing infrastructure, adding that India’s inclusion in this category marks a major technological achievement.
The defence minister reiterated that indigenous manufacturing projects are essential for strengthening strategic autonomy and reducing reliance on imports in critical defence sectors. He said the AMCA initiative, along with associated manufacturing units, represents a broader vision to develop a robust domestic defence ecosystem capable of supporting next-generation military requirements.
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