Top

Set up HAL unit in Salem: CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami to Def min Nirmala Sitharaman

Declaring that Tamil Nadu is aiming at achieving 30 per cent share of aerospace and defence sector in India through its proposed policy.

CHENNAI: Declaring that Tamil Nadu is aiming at achieving 30 per cent share of aerospace and defence sector in India through its proposed policy, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday demanded that the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) set up a facility to manufacture Light Combat Aircraft in Salem.

Addressing a meeting organised by the defence ministry, Palaniswami said since more than 120 aerospace components manufacturing companies and more than 700 suppliers to our various defence PSUs are operating in Tamil Nadu, the state’s next logical step is to progress towards aerospace and defence sectors.

“Government of Tamil Nadu is in the process of coming out with an exclusive aerospace and defence policy with an objective of achieving 30 per cent share of the sector in India and creating high-end employment opportunities for around 1 lakh persons in Tamil Nadu,” Palaniswami said and added that the development of Chennai Aerospace Park at Sriperumbudur is one such initiative to start with.

This park is being set up in 250 acres in 1st phase, which is expandable to 500 acres in the next phase and will house at least 50 aerospace or Defence companies forming a strong base for supporting large OEMs, he told the gathering that included defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Since the area of Aircraft MRO (Maintenance Repair Overhauling) activities is equally important, the state government is focusing on establishing a MRO complex in Chennai, which will emerge as the preferred MRO destination.

Recalling Sitharaman’s speech in Coimbatore that MSMEs should come forward to take up large projects and programmes from Defence forces, DRDO, Isro and other Central defence PSUs, he asked her to consider establishing a manufacturing facility by HAL for Light Combat Aircraft and helicopters in Tamil Nadu in any suitable location.

“I suggest that HAL may set up their base in Salem which is centrally located and has a large Land Bank. I also request Hon’ble Defence Minister to set up a Military MRO base in Sulur Air force Station in Coimbatore,” he said. Tamil Nadu is one of the states having very large number of medium and small scale industries in the country and the state government will assist all possible investors and vendors in getting land, other facilities, supply of power and single window clearance, he said.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
Next Story