Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Days after Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu reportedly expressed interest in relocating HAL’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) production facilities from Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, said he would urge the Centre to approve a Defence Corridor within the State.
Karnataka, which contributes 65 per cent to the national defence and aerospace industry, rightfully deserves the sanctioning of a Defence Corridor based on merit, said Patil.
Speaking to the media, he stated, “I will visit New Delhi shortly to urge the Centre to approve the Defence Corridor project for our State.”
He further mentioned plans to hold discussions with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other concerned authorities.
Responding to media reports suggesting that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been seeking to shift HAL’s Bengaluru operations to his State, Patil clarified, “Requesting the setting up of a unit in Andhra Pradesh as part of HAL’s expansion plans is understandable, but asking to transfer the existing Bengaluru operations is not justifiable.”
He added, “To my understanding, Chandrababu Naidu may not have asked for the shifting of Bengaluru operations. He might have only requested the establishment of a new unit there. However, if he has indeed requested the relocation of operations from Bengaluru, that would not be appropriate,” Patil emphasised.
He also pointed out that Karnataka should have been granted the Defence Corridor project much earlier. “While the project was sanctioned to Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu two years ago, we did not oppose its allocation to other states. However, we wish to highlight that Karnataka fully qualifies for the project purely on merit, not due to political influence,” he asserted.
Patil further noted, “Before visiting New Delhi, we will take all our ministers into confidence. The reported development regarding Chandrababu Naidu’s proposal at the NITI Aayog meeting, seeking the relocation of HAL, will be discussed with the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary to the Government.”
Published on May 26, 2025