Bengaluru: A political tussle is brewing between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh over the proposed expansion of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence manufacturer. The controversy began after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu proposed setting up a new greenfield HAL facility in his state, sparking concerns in Karnataka about a potential shift of key defence manufacturing operations.
Naidu recently met with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, offering 10,000 acres of land in Lepakshi — just 70 km from the Andhra-Karnataka border — to house future HAL facilities. The proposed site is being pitched for upcoming defence manufacturing projects, including those related to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and indigenous platforms like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Clarifying the proposal, the Andhra Chief Minister’s office stated that there was no request to relocate existing HAL units from Karnataka. Instead, the offer was for establishing additional infrastructure to meet growing defence needs.
However, the move has stirred sharp reactions from Karnataka’s political leadership. State Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil dismissed any possibility of relocating HAL’s operations. “No Chief Minister can move HAL’s existing facilities. The Bengaluru units will remain as they are. The idea may be about creating a new unit, which is a different issue altogether,” he said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah echoed the sentiment, stating there was no question of HAL being shifted out of Karnataka. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar emphasized that the state would defend its industrial assets, particularly HAL, which he credited to Nehru-era planning. “HAL wasn’t given by the BJP. It was set up in Bengaluru because of the technical manpower. They can build something new in Andhra, we won’t oppose that. But Karnataka’s interests will be safeguarded,” he asserted.
Shivakumar also questioned the silence of Karnataka’s BJP MPs on the matter, calling on them to speak up in defence of the state’s strategic industries.
Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Sharan Prakash Patil added, “HAL is the pride of our state. If anyone tries to relocate it, Karnataka’s BJP MPs must act — silence would amount to betrayal.”
HAL currently operates major facilities in Bengaluru and Tumakuru, handling the production of fighter jets, helicopters, and trainers, including the LCA Tejas. The Defence Ministry has recently cleared a ₹6,500 crore order for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, with more projects like the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA in the pipeline.
On the same day Karnataka leaders voiced their objections, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the execution model for the AMCA project, which will be managed by HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), both based in Bengaluru.
While HAL’s expansion needs are growing, the Ministry of Defence has not made any official announcement regarding a new facility in Andhra Pradesh or any decision on Naidu’s proposal.
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