Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) facility at Sunabeda in Odisha’s Koraput district on October 6 to lay the foundation stone for new facilities linked to the Shakti engine programme, officials said on Monday.

Singh is expected to reach Sunabeda on Tuesday afternoon after attending programmes at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam. He is scheduled to inaugurate upgraded maritime infrastructure there and take part in key shipbuilding milestones.

The proposed facilities at HAL’s Koraput division are expected to strengthen India’s capabilities in aero-engine technology. Officials said the project will also support the country’s efforts to reduce dependence on imports and expand domestic defence manufacturing.

The Shakti engine programme is a joint initiative between HAL and French company Safran Helicopter Engines. Under the programme, the two companies are developing and manufacturing the Safran Ardiden 1H1 turboshaft engine for India’s military requirements.

An official said HAL’s Koraput division has played an important role in India’s military engine manufacturing and overhaul ecosystem for decades. The Shakti engine programme is expected to strengthen this capability and expand the facility’s role in indigenous engine production.

The Koraput division was established in the 1960s. Over the years, it has developed from a facility that serviced Soviet-origin aircraft engines into a major centre for engine manufacturing, overhaul and maintenance. It now supports engines used in modern combat aircraft.

The Sunabeda facility manufactures and overhauls the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30MKI fleet engines. Its long-standing role in military engine work makes it an important part of India’s defence aviation infrastructure.

The visit comes as India continues to focus on building domestic capabilities in critical defence technologies. Indigenous aero-engine development remains an important area in efforts to strengthen self-reliance in military aviation.

The Koraput district administration has made extensive security arrangements for Singh’s visit. Security has been tightened across Sunabeda and along the routes that the Defence Minister is expected to take.

“Security has been tightened in view of Singh’s scheduled visit to Sunabeda. The entire routes leading to the venue have been thoroughly sanitised, and necessary security measures have been put in place for the minister’s visit,” Koraput SP Rohit Verma said.

Singh’s visit to the HAL facility comes a day after his scheduled engagements at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam, where he will inaugurate upgraded maritime infrastructure and participate in shipbuilding-related programmes.