India, May 27 -- Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil on Monday strongly objected to any proposal that involves shifting Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) projects out of Bengaluru. Reacting to reports that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has pitched for relocating HAL's advanced production facilities to his state, Patil said, "HAL's wings cannot and should not be moved out of Bengaluru."

Speaking to reporters, Patil made it clear that Karnataka would not allow any dilution of its aerospace leadership. "I will soon meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and also discuss the matter with our Chief Minister and the principal secr...