India to establish first national security semiconductor plant in partnership with US

The leaders described the semiconductor fabrication concern arsenic a “watershed arrangement,” arsenic elaborate successful a associated information sheet. This inaugural volition beryllium supported by the India Semiconductor Mission and involves a strategical exertion concern betwixt Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force.

Sources bespeak that this installation volition not lone people India’s archetypal specified works but volition besides beryllium among the world’s pioneering multi-material fabs focused connected nationalist security. It represents a important step, comparable to the civilian atomic agreement, arsenic it is the archetypal clip the US subject has engaged successful a concern for high-value technologies with India.

The information expanse noted, “President Biden and Prime Minister Modi hailed a watershed statement to found a caller semiconductor fabrication works focused connected precocious sensing, communication, and powerfulness electronics for nationalist security, next-generation telecommunications, and greenish vigor applications”, according to a study by Reuters. 

Named ‘Shakti’, the fab volition ore connected producing infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described the inaugural arsenic “an enormously encouraging development,” highlighting the engagement of nationalist information elements from some nations, arsenic reported by Reuters.

He explained that the task aims to harness India’s increasing plan and manufacturing capabilities successful the semiconductor sector.

As noted successful estimates, India’s yearly import measure for these semiconductors related to nationalist information stands astatine astir USD 1 billion.

The information expanse besides mentioned that PM Modi and President Biden acknowledged efforts to physique resilient and unafraid semiconductor proviso chains, which includes GlobalFoundries’ constitution of the GF Kolkata Power Centre.

The leaders further praised ongoing practice successful 5G deployment and next-generation telecommunications, referencing the US Agency for International Development’s plans to put USD 7 cardinal to grow the Asia Open RAN Academy, aimed astatine workforce grooming initiatives successful South Asia, including partnerships with Indian institutions.

(with inputs from Reuters)