COIMBATORE – In a significant move to strengthen its defence industrial ecosystem, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (Tidco) has allocated land to 20 private companies under a 99-year lease at Varapatti in Coimbatore district, where a dedicated defence industrial park is being established.
This strategic initiative is a core part of the state’s efforts to propel industrial growth within the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC) and position the Sulur region as a premier hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing.
Fostering a Thriving Defence Manufacturing Hub
The land allocation follows the district administration’s acquisition of 364.20 acres at Varapatti last year, which was subsequently handed over to Tidco for developing the park. The 20 companies will establish their manufacturing units within this park, focusing on producing a range of defence-related products.
V Vinayagam, Senior Vice-President of TNDIC at Tidco, confirmed the development, stating, “They will manufacture products related to defence.” He further highlighted the strategic importance of the Sulur region, noting, “Sulur is becoming a defence-related manufacturing hub in Tamil Nadu.”
Supporting Startups and Large-Scale Growth
Beyond the land allotments, Tidco is taking a multi-faceted approach to nurture the entire defence manufacturing value chain. In a significant push for smaller innovators, the agency plans to construct buildings on 10.5 acres within the same park.
These facilities will be provided to startup companies on rent, creating a conducive and cost-effective environment for emerging ventures to develop and scale their technologies, ensuring a robust pipeline of innovation for the defence sector.
This comprehensive strategy, combining support for both established manufacturers and agile startups, is set to create a synergistic ecosystem that will significantly boost Tamil Nadu’s contributions to national defence production.