Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has positioned the state for significant industrial growth, recently securing two landmark projects: a vast Google AI data center near Visakhapatnam and a cutting-edge manufacturing facility for India's indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jets in Puttaparthi.
Google's AI Ambition in Visakhapatnam
On April 28, 2026, CM Naidu laid the foundation for what he described as Asia's largest Google AI data center near Visakhapatnam. This ambitious project, with an estimated investment of Rs 1.35 lakh crore, is set to establish a 1-gigawatt capacity facility. Spread across 600 acres in the Tarluvada, Adavivaram, and Rambilli villages, the data center aims to become a cornerstone of India's digital infrastructure. It will provide advanced AI cloud capabilities and large-scale data storage, with an inauguration targeted for September 28, 2028.
India's Indigenous Fighter Jet Production in Puttaparthi
Following closely on the heels of the Google announcement, the Andhra Pradesh cabinet approved 600 acres of land in Puttaparthi for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This site will host a manufacturing facility for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country's indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet program. The facility is projected to build approximately 140 AMCA aircraft, representing an investment of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore.
The AMCA program is crucial for modernizing the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, intended to eventually replace older fleets like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. While systems design, testing, and module assembly will continue at the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Puttaparthi will become the primary manufacturing hub. Officials anticipate the prototype by 2029, with full-scale production commencing by 2035. An additional 400 acres have been earmarked for future expansion of this critical defence project.
Naidu's Strategic Vision for Industrial Hubs
These recent developments are the culmination of a sustained strategic push by Chief Minister Naidu. A year prior, he met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, advocating for Andhra Pradesh to evolve into a major aerospace and defence manufacturing hub. Naidu had proposed five specialized industrial clusters across the state:
- Jaggaiahpet–Donakonda: Missiles and ammunition
- Lepakshi–Madakasira: Civil and military aircraft, electronics
- Visakhapatnam–Anakapalli: Naval equipment and weapons testing
- Kurnool–Orvakal: Drones, robotics, and advanced components
- Tirupati: Defence R&D and innovation
The establishment of the Puttaparthi fighter jet facility suggests that Naidu's vision for transforming Andhra Pradesh into a key player in India's defence and technology sectors is now actively taking shape, following models seen in states like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.