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By Sangeeta Saxena
Le Bourget, Paris. 20 June 2025. At the 2025 Paris Air Show, where global aerospace titans gather, Tamil Nadu made its presence felt—not just as a destination, but as a delivery-driven state that means business. In an exclusive interview with Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU), Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan (Retd), Vice President – Aerospace & Defence, Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TIDCO), shared insights on the state’s rapidly growing aerospace and defence ecosystem, the strategic role of TIDCO, and Tamil Nadu’s unique positioning in India’s global aerospace ambitions.
ADU. Wg Cdr Madhusoodhanan, what does Tamil Nadu aim to achieve with its presence at Paris Air Show 2025?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. Our aim is twofold—first, to showcase Tamil Nadu’s commitment to the global aerospace industry, and second, to invite international players to participate in our growth story. We’re not here just to market intent; we’re here to demonstrate execution. Tamil Nadu is a proven performer in industrial policy, infrastructure, and workforce readiness, and this platform is perfect for reinforcing that message.
ADU. How do you see Tamil Nadu’s aerospace and defence sector evolving over the next decade?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. We see exponential growth. Tamil Nadu already has a vibrant base of auto and electronics manufacturing. Aerospace is the next natural leap. Our state is home to major global and domestic defence players and has a strong MSME ecosystem. With the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC), we are facilitating deeper integration of Indian industry with global supply chains, and this will only grow stronger in the coming decade.
ADU. What makes Tamil Nadu stand out compared to other Indian states when it comes to attracting aerospace and defence investment?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. Three pillars—policy continuity, infrastructure readiness, and skilled workforce. Tamil Nadu is known for its stable political environment and consistent implementation of industrial policies. We have developed world-class industrial parks with plug-and-play facilities, and our talent pool is unmatched—over 150,000 engineers graduate every year from our state. All these create a fertile ground for investment.
ADU. How is TIDCO driving this growth and enabling investor confidence?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. TIDCO has become the single-point enabler for aerospace and defence investors in Tamil Nadu. From facilitating land acquisition and fast-tracking clearances to building integrated defence parks and supporting skilling programs, we offer comprehensive handholding. Our structured policy framework allows both MSMEs and large OEMs to thrive. We’re results-oriented—just look at the number of operational units in our aerospace parks today.
ADU. Are there any specific collaborations or announcements made here at Paris?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. While I can’t reveal specifics just yet, I can say that we’ve had extremely promising conversations with European Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Tamil Nadu is being looked at not just as a cost-efficient destination, but as a hub of quality and reliability. We’re also preparing for the AeroDefCon 2025 in Chennai this October, and many of our Paris conversations will take shape there.
ADU. Why do you place Tamil Nadu as a preferred destination for aerospace & defence manufacturing?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. Tamil Nadu has rapidly emerged as a dual-use powerhouse in defence and civil aviation. With its established industrial base, the state has attracted investments from both public and private players, including giants like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, L&T, and HAL. Its aerospace parks near Chennai and Coimbatore have become launchpads for component manufacturing, UAVs, MRO operations, and avionics. On the civil aviation front, Tamil Nadu is one of the leading states in airport development, passenger traffic, and aerospace exports, thanks to a visionary industrial policy and strategic positioning along global trade routes.
ADU. How is TIDCO helping the state to become a preffered destination for aerospace and defence companies?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. TIDCO (Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation) has played a transformative role in nurturing the defence and aerospace ecosystem in the state. As the nodal agency for TNDIC, TIDCO has successfully created industrial clusters in Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Trichy, and Hosur, enabling MSMEs and large OEMs to co-exist and co-create. TIDCO’s seamless investor support, land allotment, and integrated industrial parks have turned Tamil Nadu into one of India’s most investor-friendly destinations. The agency’s success lies in its execution-first approach, enabling Tamil Nadu to transition from pitch to production rapidly and reliably.
ADU. In many states we have heard of utilisation of redundant airfields for aerospace ecosystem creation. Does Tamil Nadu also have such plans?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. TIDCO is pioneering a transformative approach by repurposing unused and legacy airstrips across Tamil Nadu into functional aerospace hubs, ideal for aircraft manufacturing, MRO, and aviation training. A flagship example is the upcoming aerospace park at Sulur in Coimbatore, where the runway clearance from the Ministry of Defence and Indian Air Force enables direct aircraft access—allowing a plane to roll out of a manufacturing unit, taxi to the runway, and take off seamlessly. Similarly, the historic World War II-era airstrip at Chettinad, featuring dual 1.5-km-long concrete runways, is being refurbished to support operations for small aircraft manufacturers, with adjacent industrial land and no commercial air traffic interference. Another underutilised airstrip at Kovilpatti in the Tuticorin district is being converted into a hub for aero sports and flying training. These initiatives reflect TIDCO’s innovative vision to convert dormant aviation assets into strategic infrastructure for Tamil Nadu’s booming aerospace and defence ecosystem—redefining the role of runways as enablers of industrial growth rather than solely passenger or cargo terminals.
ADU. How have the last three days been for you at Paris Air Show?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. It’s been pretty hectic, pretty useful, and definitely exciting—a good mix of everything. What’s important is the kind of interest we’re seeing from both Indian and international players. Even before the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor was officially launched, the state had a strong base in aerospace and defence. We already had tier-2 and tier-3 suppliers doing critical machining and component manufacturing for HAL, ISRO, and even global OEMs.
ADU. So Tamil Nadu’s aerospace roots go back long before the corridor?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. Absolutely. Take ISRO, for example. Many of its valves, pipelines, and structural components have come from small industries in Tamil Nadu for decades. But back then, this was unorganised—driven more by the individual initiative of these companies. After the corridor was announced, the state government adopted a structured approach and strategic vision. That has been the real change.
ADU. How has the state government contributed to this transformation?
Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan. Over the last four to five years, we’ve taken a proactive stance. We reached out to everyone—big players and MSMEs. We asked them what they needed—land, skilling, infrastructure, testing facilities. Tamil Nadu’s unique strength lies in its existing industrial culture and skilled manpower. We’re simply aligning it with the needs of aerospace and defence.
As Tamil Nadu’s aerospace and defence ambitions take flight, leaders like Wg Cdr P Madhusoodhanan ensure the journey is well-charted, grounded in policy clarity, and guided by strategic execution. At Paris Air Show 2025, Tamil Nadu didn’t just represent a state—it showcased a nation’s aspiration to become a global aerospace hub. With TIDCO leading from the front, Tamil Nadu’s skies are full of possibilities, and the future is not just near—it’s being manufactured today.
As told to Sangeeta Saxena
