Odisha CM seeks Defence Industry Corridor, Aeronautical University

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the establishment of a dedicated Defence Industry Corridor and Aeronautical University in the state.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister said Odisha provides a comprehensive ecosystem and state-of-the-art industrial infrastructure facilities for indigenous design, development and manufacturing in defence and aerospace sector.

He listed the state is the largest producer of steel, stainless steel and aluminium in the country with the availability of defence and aerospace grade products from the mother plants of the SAIL, the Tata Steel, the Hindalco industries and the NALCO.

Besides, Odisha is almost in the advanced stage of promulgating a dedicated defence and aerospace manufacturing policy to promote the cluster-based development of the industry.

He mentioned the existing manufacturing, O&M, testing and research ecosystem in the form of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s Aero Engine Facility at Koraput, the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, the DRDO Laboratory at Balasore and the Ordnance Factory at Bolangir.

“In view of these unique advantages in the state, the overall cost of production of defence and aerospace products would be very clearly competitive,” said Patnaik.

“The Odisha Government will ensure unmatched facilitation support for quick and successful establishment of both the Defence Industry Corridor and Aeronautical University in the state,” the Chief Minister said.