MoD Signs MoU for Advanced Testing Facilities in Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor

The DTIS provides up to 75% government funding as ‘Grant-in-Aid,’ with the remaining 25% funded by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) consisting of Indian private entities and State/Central Governments.

On July 30, 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish three cutting-edge testing facilities under the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC). The MoU, exchanged between MoD officials and the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) in New Delhi, aligns with the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) launched in May 2020.

The agreement outlines the creation of:

One facility in Lucknow focused on the Mechanical & Material (M&M) domain.

Two facilities in Kanpur specializing in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Communications domains.

The DTIS, with an allocated budget of Rs 400 crore, aims to bolster indigenous defence production, reduce imports, and enhance self-reliance by setting up state-of-the-art testing facilities in collaboration with private industry and government entities. Under this scheme, seven testing facilities have been approved across two Defence Industrial Corridors, with four in Tamil Nadu and three in Uttar Pradesh. The MoU for Tamil Nadu’s facilities in UAS, Electronic Warfare, and Electro Optics was signed on July 2, 2024.

The DTIS provides up to 75% government funding as ‘Grant-in-Aid,’ with the remaining 25% funded by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) consisting of Indian private entities and State/Central Governments.

For the M&M facility, the lead SPV member is MIDHANI, supported by a consortium of private sector companies. The UAS and Communications facilities will be spearheaded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, respectively.

Once operational, these facilities will offer advanced testing equipment and services to both government and private sectors, with revenue reinvested to enhance testing capabilities and processes, contributing to India’s goal of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence.