Defense and Maritime Industrial Park Near Vizag Unveiled

Visakhapatnam: India's New Defense, Maritime, and Aerospace Hub

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam is poised to emerge as India's new defense, maritime, and aerospace hub like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, according to Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, former Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri and president of Aeronautical Society of India. He made the announcement during an interactive session organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Wednesday. The event also witnessed representatives from various industry stakeholders, including the Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM), Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL), and Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), sharing their valuable insights and contributions towards building a self-reliant India (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) in the defense, maritime, and aerospace sectors.

Grand Vision: Defense and Maritime Industrial Park Proposal

Dr.Reddy said that the centerpiece of this grand vision is the proposed Defense and Maritime Industrial Park near Visakhapatnam. A blueprint for the park, encompassing manufacturing units, R&D centers, deep ocean research facilities, testing labs, and spaces for technology transfer, skill development, and foreign OEMs, has already been submitted to the Andhra Pradesh Government for land identification. The Union Government has pledged its support through special grants and collaboration with concerned departments to expedite land acquisition.

Government Support and Collaboration for Industrial Park

Dr. N. Yuvaraj, Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Andhra Pradesh, responded positively to the park initiative, assuring collaboration with concerned departments to identify suitable land. He also requested a special grant from the Central Government, which Dr. Reddy readily expressed his support for. He emphasised the crucial role of private entities in realising the ambitious project.

He highlighted the vast opportunities available for companies to partner in equipment production, with the government even opening up its own facilities for collaborations. Additionally, he urged for allocating land for National Shipbuilding Design & Research Institute (NSDRI) test facilities near the park to promote synergy and knowledge sharing.

Dr.Reddy emphasised the government's dedication to bolstering domestic manufacturing across various sectors, including defense. He highlighted the ample opportunities available for private entities to partner in equipment production, with the government even opening up facilities within the public sector for their use.

SIDM's Role in Fostering Self-Reliance in Defence

J. Srinivasa Raju, Chairman, Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM), Andhra Pradesh, focused on the organisation's crucial role in fostering self-reliance within Indian industries, particularly in the defense sector.

He envisioned an even greater future for SIDM, driving not only domestic defense development but also establishing a significant presence in the global market. To achieve this ambitious goal, he revealed that SIDM has already forged strategic partnerships with foreign countries.

"Make in India" Initiative's Impact on the Defence Sector

Pointing to India's burgeoning defense export figures, G.S. Siva Kumar, past chairman, CII-Andhra Pradesh, lauded the "Make in India" initiative as a game-changer for the sector. He credited the policy's focus on fostering domestic manufacturing and innovation with propelling India's emergence as a major exporter of defense equipment.