A new defence manufacturing project is taking shape in Tamil Nadu, where an advanced radar production and integration facility is planned to go operational by 2027. The initiative brings together Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), DCX Systems, and ELTX Systems Pvt. Ltd., marking a structured push toward localised defence electronics production in India.
The upcoming facility is expected to be developed in the Shoolagiri region of Krishnagiri district, an area increasingly positioned as a defence manufacturing cluster. The project reflects a shift from import-heavy procurement to domestic production of high-end radar systems used in surveillance and air defence operations.
Strategic push toward domestic defence capability
The core objective of the project is to strengthen India’s radar manufacturing ecosystem under the broader Make in India framework. Instead of relying solely on imported systems, the facility aims to support indigenous assembly, integration, and eventual production of advanced radar technologies.
These systems are expected to serve multiple defence requirements, including aerial surveillance, threat detection, and battlefield monitoring. The collaboration is also designed to create a supply chain within India for critical electronic defence components, reducing external dependency over time.
Role of ELTX Systems and DCX Systems
ELTX Systems Pvt. Ltd. is expected to function as the operational platform for technology transfer and local manufacturing. This structure is intended to allow gradual absorption of complex radar design and production capabilities within India.
DCX Systems Ltd., which already operates in the defence electronics space, is expected to support integration, manufacturing workflows, and supply chain execution. The collaboration model is focused on moving beyond simple assembly lines toward deeper engineering involvement within India’s defence sector.
Industrial cluster development in Krishnagiri
The Shoolagiri region is being positioned as part of a wider defence electronics corridor in Tamil Nadu. With multiple private and public collaborations in the pipeline, the area is gradually emerging as a manufacturing node for high-value defence technologies.
The radar facility is expected to contribute not only to defence production but also to local industrial growth, including vendor ecosystems, component suppliers, and skilled employment opportunities. While official investment figures vary across early estimates, the project is widely seen as a long-term infrastructure push rather than a short-term manufacturing unit.
Long-term impact on India–Israel defence cooperation
Israel Aerospace Industries has already established multiple partnerships in India across defence systems, maintenance, and technology collaboration. This radar project adds another layer to that cooperation, focusing specifically on production localisation.
By 2027, the facility is expected to play a role in both domestic supply and potential export opportunities, depending on regulatory approvals and production scale. The broader direction indicates a gradual deepening of India’s defence manufacturing independence while maintaining strategic foreign partnerships.
