Sir M. Visveswaraya’s mantra ‘Industrialise or perish’ set the momentum of development in the State, but he probably also had a silent vision, ‘Fly to Flourish’. No wonder then that today the State is bestowed with world-class Aerospace research, initiated by The Indian Institute of Science, Hindustan Aeronautics limited and a host of private top notch players like Dynamics Hydraulics Limited, Mainly Group companies, among others.
With the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), a two decade old establishment, taking a backseat, the new foreign investment policy is bound to change the Aerospace industry, both in commercial and defense sectors. The exponential growth of the Indian Civil Aviation opening the Defense production to the private players has changed the outlook of the Indian skies. With the Make in India initiative gaining momentum, it is obvious that the industrial production under the MSME cluster is poised for a spectacular growth. Keeping pace is the Maintenance. Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector, seen as the next sunrise industrial in the Asian Aerospace contest.
In view of the industry growth, the Government of Karnataka rolled out the innovative Aerospace Policy in 2016. With over 2000 MSMEs involved in manufacturing industrial components, the need to have a common facility for the research, development, production process and design centre has been the need of the hour to keep up with the growth of the Aerospace industry.
While the Aerospace policy of the government has been a growth accelerator, the innovative Aerospace Common Furnishing Facility (ACFF) will be a game changer. A result of the Modified Industrial Infrastructure Up-gradation Scheme, initiated by the Government of India, the facility at the Aerospace Park at Devanahalli is touted as the final destination for Aerospace finishing components. Envisaged at a cost of Rs. 93 crores, excluding the land cost, ACFF is funded by the Government of India to the extent of Rs. 47.43 crores and Rs. 45.57 crores by Government of Karnataka, respectively.
Spread over an area of 42 acres, the one-stop facility would be taken up in phases. Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has pitched in with four acres of land for the project with an outlay of Rs. 30 crores for the building that is to house Chemical Processing, NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Facility, Material Test Laboratory, Surface Enhancement Facility, Effluent Treatment Plant, Power Generation and Water Storage facilities.The project is underway, with the private players identified and permission given to set up facilities for four of the verticals under the special process for Aircraft components, Aircraft Rapid Prototyping Components, Aircraft Electrical and Electronic Components, Aircraft Advanced Composite materials, Aircraft Painting and Finishing.
The minute details in formulating the scheme and budget allocation for each of the facility is bound to attract industry experts to harness integrate, and learn to coexist in the high tech industry.
Some of the leading names like Stumpp Schuele Somappa Springs Pvt. Ltd, Lean Automation Equipments Pvt Ltd, CNC India Tools and Services Pvt. Ltd, Universal Flexible Pvt. Ltd are on board to make the dream come true for establishing the ACFF, propelling Karnataka as a top destination for Aerospace Industry investments.
