Aerospace and Defence, thrust sector in Telangana: KT Rama Rao

The event garnered participation from prominent US majors, advisory firms, think tanks, and startups, creating a dynamic platform for discussion and collaboration

Hyderabad: Industries Minister KT Rama Rao on Friday met leaders of different companies ay Washington DC and discussed investment opportunities in Telangana. In addition to meeting different companies’ heads, the Minister also spoke at a round table meeting on the prospects in aerospace and defense sector in Telangana. Stating that aerospace and defense was a thrust sector in Telangana, Industries Minister KT Rama Rao said the State had won the Best State awards for Aerospace for three consecutive years in 2018, 2020, and 2022.

Hyderabad was also ranked number one Aerospace city of Future in Cost effectiveness parameter by financial times FDI rankings 2020-21. These recognitions reflect the State’s progressive outlook towards the Aerospace sector, he said. The Minister explained about the spectacular growth of the aerospace sector and private sector defense investments in Telangana in the past nine years making Hyderabad the most preferred investment destination for US Aerospace and Defense corporations.

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Telangana hosts multiple production lines for US majors including Lockheed Martin JC with TATA group that manufactures and exports Sikorsky helicopter cabins, C130 J empennages and F 16 Wings. Raytheon group’s Pratt and Whitney has their only engine training center in India in Hyderabad. Safran has recently inaugurated its aero engine parts manufacturing facility and announced the first Engine MRO by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in India.

The manufacturing ecosystem is supported by 1000 plus MSMEs exclusively into aerospace and defense manufacturing, many of whom are already integrated into the global supply chains of the OEMs.

KT Rama Rao’s business meetings

IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao convened a meeting with Lockheed Martin Corporation’s senior leaders, including Ray Piselli, VP International Business and Global Business Development and Dave Sutton, Director for International Government Affairs about their ongoing manufacturing programmes in Hyderabad and new programmes in the pipeline.

Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American aerospace, arms, defense, information security, and technology corporation. During the meeting, the Lockheed Martin leaders appreciated the unmatched support received from Telangana Government during the pandemic period. They also assured support for State government’s different skilling initiatives, including the plan to establish a world class Aerospace university.

“Glad to note that Lockheed is planning their next supply chain meet in Hyderabad, besides actively speaking to several Telangana based MSMEs and start-ups for fruitful collaborations,” KT Rama Rao said.

General Atomics

The Industries Minister met Vivek Lall, CEO, General Atomics (GA) and explored the possibilities for manufacturing, MRO and R&D collaborations for their military and nuclear systems.

The Minister invited General Atomics to consider manufacturing their drones in Hyderabad. He also wanted the company to join hands in the skilling partnerships and Aerospace University project proposed by the Telangana government.

General Atomics, an American energy and defense corporation founded in 1955, produces high tech predator drones, a series of unmanned aircraft and provides electro-optical, radar, signals intelligence, and automated airborne surveillance systems.

Omnicom Group Inc.

The leadership team of Omnicom Group Incorporation, an American global media, marketing and corporate communications holding company, met the Minister in New York. Potential collaboration opportunities were discussed during the meeting.

Meeting with Consul General of India in New York

The Minister held a meeting with Consul General of India Randhir Jaiswal in New York. Prospective business opportunities, possible areas of collaboration like innovation were among a host of topics discussed in the meeting.