A unit in the defence sector for manufacturing helicopter and fighter aircraft parts is likely to be set up in Rajasthan, said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in Jaipur on Saturday.
Though the details of setting up one such defence manufacturing unit are yet to be discussed and decided upon, Mr. Parrikar suggested that the unit would be set up between Jaipur and Delhi.
“In Rajasthan there is no big defence manufacturing unit. The State’s proximity to the [Pakistan] border is a reason. We are mulling over the issue of whether a unit could come up away from the border [for security reasons], between Jaipur and Delhi…. The unit’s proximity to Delhi would boost the supply chain,” Mr. Parrikar said.
According to the Rajasthan government website, 2283.9 hectares of land has been identified “across the State at various industrial areas to promote and encourage defence manufacturing units to set up their plants”. The Rajasthan government is now approaching the private sector for it to invest in defence manufacturing.
Speaking on the duration within which the decision for establishing the manufacturing unit would be taken, Mr Parrikar said, “I think it would be decided within this year. I spoke to [Rajasthan] Chief Minister [Vasundhara Raje] regarding this and she told me she has land for the project. However, the place is yet to be finalised.”
