Amaravati: The Andhra government will host the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the AMCA programme infrastructure in Sri Sathya Sai district on May 15, along with several other defence manufacturing projects.
It will be presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, according to a press release issued on Thursday.
"The Government of Andhra Pradesh will host a landmark event on May 15, 2026, at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district, marking the foundation stone laying for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme infrastructure and the launch of multiple defence, aerospace and drone manufacturing projects in the state," the release said.
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The event marks a major milestone in Andhra Pradesh's emergence as a national hub for defence manufacturing, aerospace innovation and unmanned systems development, the release said, adding that it aligns with the Government of India's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the rapid indigenisation of advanced defence technologies.
Besides the foundation-laying ceremony, the event will feature an AMCA exhibition and technology showcase, featuring scale models, mission simulations, avionics and systems displays, and interactive defence technology zones.
India's indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter programme, being developed by DRDO and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), represents one of the country's most advanced aerospace initiatives, the release said.
In addition to the AMCA programme, the state will also witness the launch of several major defence manufacturing projects spanning missiles, ammunition, energetics, defence propellants and advanced systems manufacturing.
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These projects collectively represent investments worth thousands of crores of rupees and are expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the state, the release added.
Andhra Pradesh will also showcase its growing drone ecosystem, featuring companies working on autonomous systems, AI-enabled drones, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing, robotics, surveillance technologies, aerospace components and drone research and development.
"The Government of Andhra Pradesh has been actively positioning the state as a preferred destination for high-technology manufacturing sectors by leveraging its industrial infrastructure, port connectivity, skilled workforce and investor-friendly policies," the release said.
The event is expected to further strengthen Andhra Pradesh's standing in India's evolving defence and aerospace landscape, it added.
