Defence manufacturing unit by UK-based company to kickstart Tata Steel Gopalpur SEZ.

Tata Steel's proposed SEZ and Industrial Park at Gopalpur in south Odisha is poised to take off soon with the ground breaking ceremony for a defence equipment unit by Meggit Corporation of the UK at the location.

Meggit Corporation is setting up an assembly facility for air defence target system at Gopalpur in association with its Indian partner Sure Safety Solution.

The project, estimated to cost Rs. 50 crore, is being set up under the 'Make In India' programme of the India government, one of whose objective is to manufacture various defense equipment within the country.

The project will come up in an air-conditioned shed on 5 acres of land within the Tata Steel Industrial Park and start production from January, 2016.

'We have a big responsibility to provide the company all facilities (including building of the shed) so that the project becomes production worthy in two months' time', said Arun Mishra, MD, Tata Steel Gopalpur SEZ.

He hoped establishment of the defence equipment unit at Gopapur by the UK based company would attract other similar investors, particularly from Europe and South East Asia, to the area. 'We plan to develop this SEZ and Industrial Park as a defence and electronics hub,' he added.

It may be noted Gopalpur already has India Army Air Defence College in its vicinity which will come in handy to test the defence equipment.


BS