We are attracting defence and electronics companies in e-City: K T Rama Rao

Hyderabad has emerged as an aerospace hub with several global aerospace companies and original equipment manufacturers including Lockheed Martin Corporation, GE Aviation and Safran establishing their plants in the city in the last five years, Industries Minister KT Rama Rao said here on Monday.

These companies were into manufacturing of composite aero-structures, fuselage and engine spare parts that are mainly used for civilian aircraft, helicopters and unmanned vehicles, he said in the State Legislative Council while replying to a question on the development of the aviation sector.

The MSMEs here are supplying systems and sub-systems to these companies. For the aerospace defence sector, the State government was attracting investments in a strategic manner. The aviation sector was affected because of Covid-19 and restrictions on the movement of international flights was still on. However, the condition is favourable for the aerospace sector here, he said.

Rama Rao said the sector would create direct or indirect high-value employment to as many as 3,000 to 5,000 people in the next three years. These employment opportunities will be created in manufacturing, material and engineering wings in the aviation sector in Hyderabad.

The State government is promoting aerospace at seven SEZ parks in Hyderabad. At Adibatla,



there is a dedicated aerospace SEZ where TATA, Lockheed Martin Corporation, GE Aviation and Boeing established their base.

At Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), around 5,500 acres were allocated for the development of aerospace. Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility and some more companies came up.

Rama Rao said the State government was attracting more companies in another SEZ at Nadergul. Adani Aerospace Park was established on 20 acres in the city suburbs where UAVs are manufactured.

In Hardware Park I and II, where companies that are into the aerospace and defence sectors established their plants. “Since there is a link to electronics and defence, we are attracting defence and electronics companies in e-City,” the Minister said.

Land is allotted to 40 companies in a composite park on 100 acres near Ibrahimpatnam. A dedicated aerospace park is coming up at Eliminedu in Ibrahimpatnam constituency soon and the process of land acquisition is on. This is in addition to the seven parks, he said.

Rama Rao said discussions with Airbus were on to convince it to establish their presence in the city. “We will definitely try to convince Airbus and discussions are on with respect to a joint venture project,” he said.