The GMR Group, India’s leading infrastructure company, is setting up an 'Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Hub' at its Special Investment Region, Hosur (GKSIR), Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu, to encourage indigenous production of defence equipment in the country.
India stands amongst the top five defence spenders in the world. However, due to an underdeveloped defence manufacturing sector, India is one of the largest importers of defence equipment in the world – approximately 60% of requirements are met through imports. Indigenization of defense production is a key priority for the government.
Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the government has recently announced setting up of a Defence Industrial Production Corridor (DIPC) in the state of Tamil Nadu. The corridor will connect Hosur and Chennai – with Kattupalli port, Chennai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore and Hosur as its key nodes and aims to provide impetus to the defence production industry in the country and in the region, in particular. The proposed defence manufacturing hub at GKSIR, Hosur is a step in making this vision a reality.
The project is a Joint Venture (JV) between GMR Group and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO). Under this project, approximately 600 acres of prime industrial land has been made ready for immediate occupation.
The proposed hub is an ideal location for defence related manufacturing. Major Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) are only 50-60 km. The hub also benefits from the established industrial ecosystem in Hosur, 700+ MSMEs engaged in precision engineering in the region. Proximity to Bangalore ensures ready access to skilled manpower.
Commenting on the setting up of the manufacturing hub, BVN Rao, Business Chairman-Transportation & Urban Infrastructure, GMR Group said, “This defence manufacturing hub can potentially be a game changer for the region. We will be providing all the necessary infrastructure facilities to attract global majors to set up their manufacturing facilities here. GKSIR Hosur is keen to set an international benchmark. GMR Group is world renowned infrastructure developer and we already have an excellent track record of creating mega infrastructure projects in India and abroad”.
To accelerate this effort, the GKSIR is also being showcased in the Defence Expo 2018 [Hall 6 Stall 25]. The GKSIR team will be taking potential investors through the salient points of the project and discuss potential opportunities for investments.
@EPC World Media
