Tamil Nadu Aims for Global Aerospace Crown: ₹75,000 Cr by 2032

At the inaugural session of AeroDefCon 2025 in Chennai, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced Tamil Nadu’s ambitious goal to attract ₹75,000 crore in investments by 2032 through the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC), with the vision of building a globally competitive aerospace and defence manufacturing hub.

To date, the state has already attracted ₹23,000 crore, with another ₹5,000 crore worth of projects currently under implementation. In a significant boost, the Tamil Nadu government signed MoUs with Cochin Shipyard and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in September for shipbuilding projects worth ₹15,000 crore, expected to create over 60,000 job opportunities.

Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa announced that AeroDefCon will become a biennial event, and shared plans to set up advanced testing and integration facilities under TIDCO, further strengthening the state's defence manufacturing capabilities.

The event has drawn participation from global aerospace leaders and national defence institutions, underlining Tamil Nadu’s growing prominence in the sector.

DRDO’s Director General (ECS), B.K. Das, highlighted ongoing partnerships with Tamil Nadu, including a major engine development project and component manufacturing for fifth-generation aircraft. DRDO has also launched a Young Scientist Laboratory in the state, supporting innovation and talent development in the defence sector.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.