India to Set Up High-End Defence Testing Facility in TN Corridor Under DTIS

The upcoming mechanical and material testing facility aims to provide a cutting-edge infrastructure for evaluation, certification, and testing of defence-related components, sub-systems, and systems.

In a major push towards strengthening India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and promoting indigenous research and development, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) to establish a state-of-the-art Mechanical & Material domain testing facility under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS). The facility will be set up in the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, specifically in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.

The MoU was formally exchanged in New Delhi, in the presence of Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary of Defence Production, MoD. The agreement marks a significant milestone in India’s mission to reduce dependence on foreign military testing capabilities and bolster the indigenous defence ecosystem through advanced infrastructure and collaboration with private industry.

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Facility to Boost Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence

The upcoming mechanical and material testing facility aims to provide a cutting-edge infrastructure for evaluation, certification, and testing of defence-related components, sub-systems, and systems. Once operational, the facility will offer its services to both government and private sector players, thereby democratizing access to critical testing infrastructure and encouraging the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the defence sector.

The project is part of the broader goal to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence, aligning with the Government’s vision of transforming India into a global hub for defence manufacturing.

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Funding Model and Stakeholders

Under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme, the Government of India provides up to 75% of the total project cost as Grant-in-Aid, while the remaining 25% is borne by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) composed of Indian private firms and state or central public sector units.

For this specific facility in Tiruchirappalli:

• Micro Labs, a leading private enterprise, is the lead SPV partner.

• Other SPV members include:

  • TIDCO

  • Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)

  • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

  • Vaidheswaran Industries

This public-private partnership structure ensures both industry relevance and world-class technical standards.

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Vision Behind DTIS

Launched in May 2020 by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme has an outlay of ₹400 crore and is one of the most ambitious schemes to promote self-reliance in the Indian defence production ecosystem.

The primary goals of DTIS are:

• Establishment of dedicated defence testing infrastructure to reduce dependence on foreign facilities.

• Facilitate faster product development cycles by reducing turnaround time for testing and certification.

• Support MSMEs and startups by providing access to sophisticated testing environments that are otherwise financially prohibitive.

• Foster collaborative R&D between private industry and defence public sector undertakings.

The DTIS plays a crucial role in enhancing quality assurance standards, leading to robust and export-ready defence equipment.

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Focus on Defence Industrial Corridors

To provide strategic focus and industrial synergy, the MoD has approved the creation of seven testing facilities across India—four in Tamil Nadu and three in Uttar Pradesh—within the Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs). These corridors have been conceived as integrated hubs to attract investment and spur local innovation in the defence and aerospace sectors.

The Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, with Tiruchirappalli as one of its nodes, is rapidly emerging as a nucleus for defence-related design, manufacturing, and now, high-end testing services.

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Industry and National Impact

By bringing together public and private expertise, the mechanical and materials testing facility is poised to:

• Cut down testing costs and delays for domestic manufacturers.

• Enable faster certification cycles for defence components.

• Improve India’s export competitiveness in the global defence market.

• Support technology development and innovation in critical materials science.

This facility is not only a strategic enabler for self-reliance in defence production but also a catalyst for broader economic development in southern India, especially in and around Tiruchirappalli.

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The Road Ahead

With this MoU, the Ministry of Defence reiterates its commitment to building a robust, self-sufficient, and export-oriented defence industrial base in India. The facility is expected to be operational by mid-2026, synchronizing with other test centres being developed under DTIS.

By institutionalizing such testing infrastructure, India is laying the groundwork for a future-ready defence ecosystem, capable of meeting both domestic and global security demands.