Tamil Nadu setting up defence gear production hub, including for tanks

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has begun work to set up a defence related component manufacturing cluster aimed at primarily supplying to the battle tank and heavy-duty engine factories in Avadi as a first step and, possibly, export to other nations eventually.

The state's small and medium industries department had a meeting with industry representatives late last month to discuss land availability .

Confirming the plan to set up a defence manufacturing cluster, Mangath Ram Sharma, chairman and managing director of Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development, said: "The discussions are in the preliminary stage. Right now, talks are on with small units near Ambattur to examine if they are interested in this cluster approach. But, we will soon prepare a technical and financial feasibility report."

According to a report on the meeting held last month accessed by ET, the 150-acre cluster will have mechanical and electronic component makers along with a testing and data analytics centre.

While Avadi is a natural choice with its heavy vehicle factory and a research centre for combat vehicles, the government is also considering Thervoy Kandigai in Tiruvallur district, where about 130 acres of land held by the government can be repurposed for the defence cluster. Land parcels near Sriperumbudur by the current aerospace park are also probable locations after Avadi.

"Till now, many suppliers to the tank factories and testing facilities in Tamil Nadu are present outside the state. The plan is to get them to invest in the state," said a top government official requesting anonymity .