Lepakshi vs Bengaluru: Understanding the silent turf war over HAL’s future

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Not a Shift

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Bengaluru-Adjacent

[{"selector":"#anim-96556fd9-3979-4883-9fef-40f18c81f035 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(14.537144690733601%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Lepakshi is 70–100 km from Bengaluru and just an hour from the airport—logistically ideal for HAL’s supply chain but officially in Andhra Pradesh.

Mega Land Offer

[{"selector":"#anim-71ccd858-c42e-4091-b192-c94761780fad [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Andhra Pradesh is offering 10,000 contiguous acres—something Bengaluru can’t match—for HAL’s next-gen fighter projects. Representative pic

Defence Corridor Push

[{"selector":"#anim-dd02c826-a604-44ed-b5b7-4afd25471d24 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-10.347137547685442%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The proposal is part of Andhra’s vision to build India’s third defence industrial corridor, with HAL expansion as the anchor.

Bengaluru is Full

[{"selector":"#anim-317c698b-0461-4b8c-adc8-0fff4ad1d33e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(23.981851673149794%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Andhra argues Bengaluru is saturated, with no room for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s AMCA-scale manufacturing needs.

Jobs and Ecosystem

[{"selector":"#anim-c3755c7c-29f0-4441-a444-8814ca7e88c6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-16.470725205805785%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Bringing HAL to Lepakshi would generate high-tech jobs, attract defence vendors, and boost Andhra’s economy.

Karnataka Pushback

[{"selector":"#anim-68dadc05-5355-439f-afb3-733f6fcd69bd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(6.400865188107269%, -17.233765534643172%) scale(1.364963503649635)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Karnataka opposes any relocation of existing HAL units but acknowledges Andhra’s right to seek future expansions.

Ministry in Control

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Fighter Production Race

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