October 7, 2025

Tamil Nadu is zooming ahead with a mega plan to bring in ₹75,000 crore worth of investments by 2032 under its Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, declared Chief Minister MK Stalin at the lively AeroDefCon 2025 in Chennai on Tuesday. This international three-day conference, organized in partnership with France’s BCI Aerospace, is all about the latest manufacturing technologies in aerospace supply chains. Since launching this defence corridor in 2019, the state has already attracted ₹23,000 crore in investments, out of which ₹5,000 crore have been put to work, Stalin proudly announced. The corridor is no ordinary stretch on the map! Each city along this route plays a special role: Chennai leads with naval research, Coimbatore masters micro-engineering, Hosur shines in aerospace electronics, Salem produces high-tech goods, and Tiruchirapalli powers heavy machinery manufacturing. Stalin said, "Every part of Tamil Nadu is an ideal place for investment." Pumping up the state’s space ambitions, Stalin highlighted existing facilities in Thoothukudi and said Tamil Nadu will be a major player in India's space industry. He added, “The Chennai Kattupally Ship Yard, Sulur and Vallam Vadagam Space Parks and the space park in Tuticorin not only boost Tamil Nadu’s economy but also back the country’s defense sector.” Not just big giants, but over 700 MSMEs are buzzing in aerospace and defence here. Stalin gave a clear message: “Multinational companies need not wait to invest here. Tamil Nadu is ready now.” Industries Minister TRB Rajaa shared fascinating nuggets, revealing that large parts of Boeing’s Dreamliner aircraft engineering design happened right here in Chennai at OMR and Ambattur. Even global satellite connectivity leaders like Intelsat and Viasat get their aviation networks supported from Chennai! In Pudukottai district, aircraft batteries roll out for global platforms. The state’s involvement is massive and varied. Adding a scientific spark, BK Das, Distinguished Scientist and Director General at DRDO, praised the Indo-French collaboration, calling it a powerful engine for future defence technology. He said, “The systems developed by DRDO are completely handed over to the industries.” He stressed innovation as the key, “We have to create systems that our Armed Forces could never imagine. And this can’t happen just with DRDO but with support from the industries.” Das recalled the successful indigenous weapons like Sindoor, Brahmos, and Akash missiles that show worldwide that India’s Armed Forces trust homegrown technology. “Opportunities are phenomenal, all open to all of you,” he said. With AeroDefCon 2025 sparking conversations and connecting leaders, Tamil Nadu is shifting gears fast to become a shining star in India's defence and aerospace industries. The future looks bright, bold, and full of promise on this defence corridor!

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Tags: Tamil nadu defence industrial corridor, Aerodefcon 2025, M.k. stalin, Aerospace, Defense investments, Drdo,