Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) is setting up its defence systems integration complex at Palasamudram in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh with an estimated investment of Rs 500 crore over the next three-four years. It will be the largest facility in the country once it is commissioned, covering an area of over 900 acres.
The new unit will be at extension of Bharat Electronics missile systems strategic business unit, which is now based in Bangalore, N. Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh said during the foundation stone laying ceremony on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar.
For Bharat Electronics, it will be a second coming to Andhra Pradesh. The company had begun its operations in Machilipatnam in 1982 by setting up its first unit in AP.“Now, after 32 years, BEL is back in our state to set up its second unit in Andhra Pradesh – a place where it belongs,” Naidu said.
The new facility, to be built in phases, as various projects mature.
Bharat Electronics also plans to to expand its facility to Nimmaluru village in Krishna District in an extent of 50.74 acres. “The Palasamudram unit will cater to the needs of missile and weapon systems manufacturing/integration for the ongoing and upcoming missile programmes,” he said adding that Andhra Pradesh is also home to ISRO that is located in Sriharikota.
The new facility will house state-of-the-art infrastructure such as assembly hangars and hard stands for radars and weapon integration, RF radiation sources for target simulation, automatic test equipment, clean rooms for electronic assembly, non-explosive and explosive integration buildings, missile storage buildings, environmental test chambers, fire stations, solar power plant, estate and administration buildings.
Naidu also said that DRDO is setting up a base in Orvakal of Kurnool district.”We want to make Rayalseema and Prakasam districts as defence hubs. My focus is also to develop a strong MSME ecosystem in this sector, with ancillary units around Vizag, Nellore and Anantapur districts.”
On the overall target of investments in the sector, Naidu said that the state government is looking at investments worth Rs. 20,000 crore and employment of 5,000 in the aerospace and defence manufacturing sector by 2020. Among other plans, the chief minister added that the government is also planning state-of-the-art aviation maintenance, repair and overhauling (MRO) facility in 500 acres and an aviation academy in 1,000 acres.
