Kerala to get more defence manufacturing units: Antony

Kasargod, Aug 23 (UNI) The Centre will set up more defence manufacturing units in Kerala in a phased manner, Union Defence minister A K Antony today said.

Addressing a after laying the foundation stone of the Rs 66 crore Avionics unit under the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) at Seethamgoli here, he said details of the projects would be announced at an appropriate time after consultation with the Kerala Industry Ministry.

This was the first manufacturing unit under the Defence Ministry after a similar project in Amethi of Uttar Pradesh in 1984, he said.

The first phase of the project facilitating assembly, test and manufacturing of six types of air-borne mission computers, was expected to begin production in 18 months, he said.

Thereafter, the facility would shift to production of other systems and sub-systems for various aircrafts, such as the medium- lift helicopter and fifth-generation aircraft.

The project, with a total investment of Rs 200 crore, was coming up on a 200 acre land leased by the Kerala Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra).

Kinfra had offered to lease more land for the project, if needed.

Kerala Health Minister P K Sreemathy and Opposition leader Oommen Chandy were among those present at the function.

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