Crown Group signs MoU with TIDCO
NEW DELHI: The Crown Group formally announced its agreement with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO).
As a part of the MoU, the Crown Group would develop an Integrated Aerospace Cluster as a part of the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor, adjoining Salem Airport, located in Tamil Nadu. The Cluster will house India’s first-ever indigenous MRO facility for military aircraft and equipment.
The Group will undertake indigenous repair, servicing and maintenance of military aircraft at the airport and establish a test bed for aerodrome ground technologies and UAV/ RPAS drone testing facility.
Speaking at the occasion, Dave Jeyaselvan, President Crown Group, commented, “As per the directive of our Chairman we are deeply committed towards the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, which includes India’s urgent need to become self-reliant in the defence sector. The country has opened up 74% FDI in defence manufacturing in order to strengthen the sector. The Salem Aerospace Cluster is a step towards this goal of establishing an integrated facility under the indigenisation program.”
The Salem Aerospace Cluster would have a General Aviation Complex for indigenous MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) operations, including obsolescence management; Indigenisation and manufacturing of spares through in-house development and tie-ups with OEMs and established ecosystem of partner MSMEs. Design and development of Drones and HALE RPAS; final assembly and testing of UAVs are also planned as part of activities of this Cluster. The Project also envisages establishment of a well-equipped Flight Training Academy for basic and advanced flying training and a refresher training facility for professional pilots, to keep them updated on international best practices in flying.
The Integrated Aerospace Cluster will also house a Center of Excellence for skill development and an Incubation Center for Research in Aerospace and Defence projects. The area will additionally incorporate a test bed for Aerodromes Ground Technologies, ecosystem for testing and certification of indigenously manufactured equipment in coordination and consultation with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). A state-of-the-art NABL accredited Calibration Laboratory and Testing Centre would also be set up here.
Yesterday at the AERO INDIA 2021, the Crown Group showcased it’s indigenously developed cutting-edge manufacturing and servicing prowess in the aerospace and defence sector. The several defence projects that the Group is participating in will lead to the creation of jobs, skilling of people, technology absorption and will catalyse the local industrial ecosystem.
