The Andhra Pradesh government will host the foundation stone-laying ceremony for infrastructure related to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme in Sri Sathya Sai district on May 15, along with the launch of several other defence manufacturing projects.
According to an official press release issued on Thursday, the event will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
“The Government of Andhra Pradesh will organise a landmark event on May 15, 2026, at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district to mark the foundation stone laying for the AMCA programme infrastructure and the inauguration of multiple defence, aerospace and drone manufacturing initiatives in the state,” the release stated.
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The programme is being seen as a significant step in Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to establish itself as a national centre for defence manufacturing, aerospace innovation and unmanned systems development. The initiative is also aligned with the Centre’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and the push for rapid indigenisation of advanced defence technologies.
Apart from the foundation ceremony, the event will also feature an AMCA exhibition and technology showcase, including scale models, mission simulations, avionics displays, advanced systems exhibits and interactive defence technology zones.
The AMCA project, India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft programme being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Aeronautical Development Agency, is regarded as one of the country’s most sophisticated aerospace initiatives.
In addition to the AMCA infrastructure, several major defence manufacturing projects linked to missiles, ammunition, energetics, defence propellants and advanced systems production are also set to be launched in the state.
The release noted that these projects involve investments worth thousands of crores of rupees and are expected to create substantial employment opportunities across Andhra Pradesh.
The state will also showcase its expanding drone ecosystem, featuring companies engaged in autonomous systems, AI-enabled drones, UAV manufacturing, robotics, surveillance technologies, aerospace components and drone-related research and development.
“The Government of Andhra Pradesh has been actively working to position the state as a preferred destination for high-technology manufacturing by leveraging its industrial infrastructure, port connectivity, skilled manpower and investor-friendly policies,” the release added.
Officials said the event is expected to further strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s role in India’s rapidly evolving defence and aerospace sector.
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