SOURCE: AFI
India is set to establish its first national security semiconductor fabrication plant, which will supply chips to the US armed forces, its allied militaries, and Indian defense forces. The fab, to be called Shakti, is scheduled to be operational in 2025.
The plant will focus on manufacturing infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors, and will be enabled by the India Semiconductor Mission and a strategic technology partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the U.S. Space Force.
Remarkably, the US national security establishment has entrusted an Indian startup, led by two young entrepreneurs, Vinayak Dalmia and Vrinda Kapoor, with the technology to produce chips that will be integrated into America’s security infrastructure and that of its allies, such as the United Kingdom.
3rdiTech is collaborating with General Atomics, a major US defense company, on several significant projects to enhance defense technology capabilities in India. This partnership underscores the growing strategic cooperation between the two countries in the field of technology.
The establishment of the Shakti semiconductor fab in India marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to become a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing. It also demonstrates the growing trust and confidence between the US and India in critical areas of national security.