India and US to Launch Semiconductor Fabrication Plant for National Security
India and the US are set to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant named ‘Shakti,’ which will be among the world’s first multi-material fabs dedicated to national security.
US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have hailed this significant agreement to create a facility focused on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics, crucial for national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications.
The fabrication unit will be a collaboration involving Bharat Semiconductors, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force. Planned for Uttar Pradesh, the plant will concentrate on three essential areas for modern warfare: advanced sensing, communication, and high-voltage power electronics.
The facility will manufacture infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors, supported by the India Semiconductor Mission and a strategic partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force.
During their discussions, both leaders emphasized their joint efforts to strengthen secure and sustainable semiconductor supply chains, highlighting GlobalFoundries’ (GF) establishment of the GF Kolkata Power Center. This initiative aims to enhance collaborative research and development in chip manufacturing and foster advancements in low-emission vehicles, IoT devices, AI, and data centers.
They also noted GF’s plans to explore long-term cross-border manufacturing and technology partnerships with India, which will create high-quality jobs in both nations.
Furthermore, both countries celebrated the new strategic partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the India Semiconductor Mission, under the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund.
They acknowledged the progress made by their industries to build safe and resilient supply chains for automotive markets, including Ford Motor Company’s intention to use its Chennai plant for exports to global markets.
