Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The government is working on an ambitious plan to establish seven defence manufacturing clusters across India as part of its push to strengthen indigenous defence production and build specialised regional manufacturing ecosystems.
The proposed initiative aims to bring together state governments, industry, academia and research institutions to create integrated defence hubs focusing on different aspects of the defence manufacturing value chain, including testing and certification, indigenisation, exports, skill development, innovation and industrial infrastructure.
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According to sources familiar with the proposal, senior officials in the Ministry of Defence have held multiple rounds of consultations on the plan, with participating states being asked to prepare detailed vision documents and implementation roadmaps for the proposed clusters.
Under the framework being considered, each cluster will be led by a designated state and supported by one or more co-lead states. Premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will provide research, technological and innovation support as per the plan.
SEVEN CLUSTERS ACROSS INDIA
Karnataka is expected to lead the first cluster, with Rajasthan serving as co-lead. The cluster will focus on testing, certification, quality assurance and standards for defence manufacturing. IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee and IIT Jammu are likely to serve as its academic partners.
Another cluster is proposed to be headed by Uttar Pradesh, with Jharkhand as co-lead, focusing on policy reforms and interventions aimed at strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir are also expected to be part of this grouping.
A third cluster, jointly led by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, will concentrate on indigenisation, greater private sector participation, innovation, startups and the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in defence production. Goa and Puducherry are expected to participate, while IIT Bombay is likely to provide institutional support.
Punjab and Haryana are proposed to anchor a cluster dedicated to expanding market access, boosting defence exports and improving demand visibility for Indian defence manufacturers. Several northern states and Union Territories are also expected to join the initiative, supported by leading technical institutions.
Gujarat and Odisha are expected to jointly lead another cluster focusing on skill development, industrial-academic partnerships and innovation linkages. IIT Gandhinagar and IIT Bhubaneswar are among the institutions likely to play a key role in supporting the initiative.
In South India, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are proposed to head a cluster aimed at developing defence industrial infrastructure, common manufacturing facilities and integrated production ecosystems. IIT Madras and other academic institutions are expected to provide research and technological support.
The northeastern region is also set to receive a dedicated defence manufacturing cluster led by Assam. Several northeastern states are expected to participate, with IIT Guwahati providing academic and technological backing.
The move aligns with the Centre’s broader objective of achieving self-reliance in defence under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative while expanding India’s role as a major exporter of defence equipment. Once operational, the clusters are expected to create specialised ecosystems that support research, manufacturing, testing, certification and exports, helping reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the country’s long-term defence industrial base.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
