Puttaparthi (Andhra Pradesh) | Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday laid the foundation stone for a Rs 16,000 crore combat aircraft infrastructure project here in Sri Sathya Sai district, with the Defence Minister saying it marks a historic chapter in India's defence history.
Also, a new era was starting in Andhra Pradesh, he said.
Singh and Naidu laid the foundation for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme infrastructure.
"A new era is starting today in Andhra Pradesh's history and a historic chapter is being written in India's defence history. Four major projects are starting in today's foundation stone laying ceremony. Beside them, eight drone companies are also starting a drone city in Kurnool," said Singh, addressing a public meeting.
Observing that the world is facing many challenges today, he said during these difficult times if we can stand with our own strength then we can defend ourselves powerfully.
However, the Defence Minister noted that India is still dependent on other countries for its national security, underscoring the importance of the projects starting from today.
Noting that the project in Puttaparthi was being developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is a part of DRDO, Singh said it is developing the fifth generation AMCA fighter jet.
With an investment of nearly Rs 16,000 crore, he said an aircraft integration and advanced flight-testing centre is being developed, noting that such facilities are owned only by a few countries.
CM Naidu said Andhra Pradesh will emerge as the defence shield of the country with the emergence of several related facilities.
Highlighting the significance of the AMCA project, Naidu stated that the initiative would showcase the capabilities of India's defence sector and strengthen indigenous combat aircraft manufacturing using homegrown technology.
The chief minister noted that the AMCA project being established on nearly 650 acres of land in Puttaparthi would pave the way for the development of a dedicated township and generate employment opportunities for around 7,500 people.
Naidu described "Operation Sindoor" as a proud example of India's growing technological strength and the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-sufficient India) initiative in the defence sector. India launched its military offensive named "Operation Sindoor" on terror targets in Pakistan in May 2025 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 tourists were killed.
Along with the AMCA project, Singh and Naidu also laid the foundation for a few more defence and drone city projects.
Following the foundation stone laying event, the leaders visited a display of missiles, hand grenades, advanced guns, fighter jet prototype and other defence products, a release said.
