Andhra Pradesh Soars in Aerospace with Rs 15,803 Crore AMCA Project

The foundation stone for the Rs 15,803 crore Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme will be laid in Andhra Pradesh, marking significant advancements in India's aerospace and defence manufacturing. Jointly developed by DRDO and ADA, this initiative aims to boost self-reliance in defence technology and create substantial economic growth.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu are set to lay the foundation stone for the Rs 15,803 crore AMCA programme infrastructure in the Sri Sathya Sai district. Occurring on May 15, this event marks the beginning of various defence, aerospace, and drone manufacturing projects, reinforcing Andhra Pradesh's position in advanced manufacturing sectors.

The significant investment is aligned with the Government of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, a strategy aimed at boosting self-reliance and the indigenisation of advanced defence technologies. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the AMCA project spans over 650 acres and marks India's first foray into indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft technology.

Besides producing fighter aircraft, the project is designed to accommodate testing activities, creating approximately 7,500 jobs. Additional infrastructure would complement the AMCA ecosystem, with the state allocating 400 acres for ancillary industries projected to attract investments nearing Rs 1 lakh crore. Meanwhile, foundation stones for other defence manufacturing and drone sector projects—with investments totaling Rs 4,145 crore—are also planned, promising over 6,000 new jobs.