Andhra Pradesh Secures Major AMCA Aircraft Testing Complex at Puttaparthi

Andhra Pradesh has secured a major boost for its aerospace and defence manufacturing ambitions after finalising plans for an Aircraft Integration and Flight Testing Complex at Puttaparthi for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

The proposed facility will be developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) framework. The project is expected to support aircraft assembly, systems integration and advanced flight testing activities for India’s indigenous fighter aircraft programmes.

According to officials associated with the project, nearly 350 acres have been identified for the development. Around 150 acres near the existing Puttaparthi airport runway will be used for the core testing and integration complex, while the remaining land will support office infrastructure, residential facilities and allied aerospace activities.

The Andhra Pradesh government has also assured infrastructure support for the project, including runway expansion up to nearly 10,000 feet, along with development of air traffic control systems, navigation infrastructure and weather monitoring facilities required for advanced aircraft testing operations.

The proposed complex is expected to become a key facility for India’s fifth-generation AMCA stealth fighter aircraft programme. Reports indicate that nearly 140 AMCA aircraft could be manufactured in phases in the coming years. The first prototype is expected between late 2026 and early 2027, while the first flight is likely by 2028.

Industry experts believe Puttaparthi’s proximity to Bengaluru, which houses HAL, DRDO laboratories and several aerospace companies, will help create a larger aerospace and defence manufacturing corridor across southern India.

The state government has also initiated plans to develop industrial land banks around the facility for private aerospace and defence manufacturing units. The project is expected to generate opportunities for MSMEs, precision engineering companies, avionics manufacturers, component suppliers and research institutions linked to India’s growing defence ecosystem.