Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Curtis Lead Bipartisan Senate Delegation to Taiwan, South Korea and Japan
- Tamil Nadu Flies on it’s Infrastructure, MSMEs & Investment
- Policy Continuity, Talent and Trust — Why Tamil Nadu is the Preferred Destination
By Sangeeta Saxena
Chennai Trade Centre. 08 October 2025. During AeroDefCon 2025, the Chennai Trade Centre transformed into the epicentre of India’s aerospace and defence aspirations. Buzzing with anticipation, energy, and innovation, it truly became the cynosure of all eyes, drawing stakeholders from across the globe. With over 5,000 B2B meetings, high-level delegations from 18 countries and participation of 300+ companies, the venue pulsated with strategic conversations, technological showcases and future-ready partnerships. Quite literally, all roads led to the Chennai Trade Centre, as it hosted the largest-ever edition of ADM in India, cementing Tamil Nadu’s rising stature as a global hub for aerospace and defence collaboration.
In an exclusive conversation at AeroDefCon 2025 / ADM Chennai, Editor Sangeeta Saxena of Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU) caught up with Dr. TRB Raja, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, the man who is the force behind this stupendous success. The minister shared insights on how Tamil Nadu is leveraging its strengths—world-class infrastructure, policy continuity, industrial talent, and a robust MSME network—to establish itself as India’s most promising aerospace and defence manufacturing hub and how the state is writing a new chapter of co-creation and investment.
ADU. Sir, we are meeting here at AeroDefCon 2025 and the first day was a massive success. The sessions were jam-packed and electric. What did it take to get this event to such a grand level?
Dr. TRB Raja. It was pure intent. Backed strongly by our Honourable Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin, we were determined to get this sector going. We’ve seen several pushes in the past, but the real take-off hadn’t happened—until now. With AeroDefCon, it’s finally flying high. Just look at the numbers. 5,558 B2B meetings on site. Even BCI Aerospace has confirmed this is the largest ADM ever.
ADU. That’s phenomenal. With 300+ companies and a strong MSME presence, what was the objective?
Dr. TRB Raja. Exactly what the Chief Minister envisioned. To connect Tamil Nadu’s hugely capable MSMEs to the global aerospace and defence giants. And it’s happened. The energy is palpable. In fact, 18 countries are represented here. It’s a proud moment for us.
ADU. If some of these global players wish to set up manufacturing lines here, does Tamil Nadu have the space and infrastructure ready?
Dr. TRB Raja. Absolutely. Through SIPCOT—our State Industries Promotion Corporation—we offer industrial parks with litigation-free, fully acquired land. We provide land on a 99-year lease, with world-class infrastructure like roads, utilities, connectivity—everything in place. More importantly, Tamil Nadu is India’s No. 1 manufacturing state with over 40,000 operational factories. So, whether it’s a major OEM or a tier-one supplier, the supply chain ecosystem already exists. And if you want to plug in something new, we’ll pitch your requirements directly to our supplier networks.
ADU. This is also the talent capital of India. Does that translate into incentives for investors too?
Dr. TRB Raja. I’ve always said—I won’t give a lot of incentives, I’ll give the right kind of incentives. Tamil Nadu doesn’t depend solely on sops to attract investors. We play to our strengths. Talent, infrastructure, governance, safety – especially for women – along with policy continuity. Tamil Nadu’s USP has been across governments, policies remain stable. That’s something I can confidently say—even for the opposition. We offer the best social infrastructure, from schools for your employees’ children to top-tier healthcare, and most importantly, happiness. In Tamil Nadu, your workforce isn’t just productive—they’re fulfilled.
ADU. With such strong support to MSMEs, are you also inviting players from other Indian states to invest here?
Dr. TRB Raja. Of course. While others focus on foreign investors, Tamil Nadu welcomes Indian investors with equal enthusiasm. Our homegrown industrial giants have always kept Tamil Nadu on top of mind—and their numbers are growing. And let me reiterate. Incentives are equal for both foreign and Indian investors. With Tamil Nadu’s double-digit growth, if you’re in India today, this is the state to invest in.
ADU. Tamil Nadu is being hailed as a rising star in India’s aerospace and defence sector. How has the state achieved this prominence?
Dr. TRB Raja. Tamil Nadu has rapidly emerged as one of India’s foremost defence and aerospace hubs, and that’s no accident. It’s the result of a powerful combination of policy foresight, industrial strength, and technological capability. We’ve anchored this transformation with the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC), which connects our major cities and integrates key stakeholders across the defence ecosystem — from large DPSUs to MSMEs, private players, and start-ups.
ADU. What kind of infrastructure and industry support has the state built to support this ecosystem?
Dr. TRB Raja. The infrastructure is one of our strongest pillars. Cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli serve as strategic nodes within the corridor. We have established state-of-the-art plug-and-play industrial parks, dedicated aerospace and defence parks, and are expanding with greenfield airports at Parandur and Hosur. Tamil Nadu is also seeing a rise in MRO facilities, adding another crucial layer to our aerospace capabilities.
ADU. What attracts major defence OEMs, both Indian and global, to Tamil Nadu?
Dr. TRB Raja. Three things: policy stability, a skilled workforce, and a robust supply chain. Tamil Nadu has a reputation for policy continuity across governments, and we offer not just incentives but a complete industrial ecosystem. Our supply chain capabilities, combined with an abundance of engineering and research talent, make it very attractive for OEMs to invest and build here.
ADU. Events like AeroDefCon and ADM Chennai 2025 are being seen as strategic platforms. How do they fit into this larger vision?
Dr. TRB Raja. These events are much more than exhibitions — they are strategic matchmaking grounds. With participation from global players and MSMEs, they help us connect Tier 1 suppliers with local talent and production. Events like AeroDefCon/ADM Chennai 2025 showcase Tamil Nadu’s industrial prowess and reinforce our resolve to be a driving force behind India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in aerospace and defence.
At AeroDefCon 2025 , Dr. TRB Raja’s words reflected not just the pride of achievement, but the conviction of purpose. Tamil Nadu, under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has positioned itself as the vanguard of India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing revolution — a state where policy continuity meets innovation, and industrial strength merges with global collaboration. From empowering MSMEs to attracting international OEMs, Tamil Nadu’s growth story is one of balance — between scale and sustainability, ambition and accountability. As Dr. Raja rightly noted, “Tamil Nadu doesn’t chase industries with incentives; it attracts them with trust, talent, and transformation.” His vision for a holistic, globally connected, and future-ready industrial ecosystem reaffirms that the state’s journey in aerospace and defence has only just begun — and its flight path, from here, is nothing short of skyward.
As told to Sangeeta Saxena
