CM Stalin in UK: TN Govt Signs MoUs in Defence, Aerospace

• CM M.K. Stalin led UK meetings, securing MoUs across defence, energy, textiles, and design
• Rs 800+ crore investments announced, creating 1,200+ new jobs in Tamil Nadu
• Stalin advanced global partnerships in education and research with leading institutions

During the second leg of the CM, M.K. Stalin's Europe trip, he met with high-level meetings in the UK and committed to several MoUs in the areas of defence, aerospace, shipbuilding intelligence, renewable energy, textiles, and design.

"The company expressed strong interest in expanding its operations in Tamil Nadu, with plans for an MRO facility, an R&D and training centre, and a significant expansion of its IAMPL joint venture in Hosur", stated in the statement.

It added, "With Tamil Nadu being home to one of India’s two Defence Industrial Corridors, the engagement with Rolls-Royce illustrates the State’s potential as a hub for advanced aerospace manufacturing".

An important meeting was with Rolls-Royce, who are global leaders in aerospace and defence technologies. In addition, Lloyd's List Intelligence signed an MoU for their expansion of their Global Capability Centre in Chennai, which will create 200 jobs by 2026.

"As a world leader in maritime risk management, insurance and vessel tracking analytics, Lloyd’s expansion will significantly bolster Tamil Nadu’s capabilities in shipbuilding, port management, and maritime technology", noted in the statement.

Also Read: Tata Electronics, Merck Sign MoU to Bolster India's Semiconductor Materials

Through its flagship platform, Seasearcher will develop Tamil Nadu's Blue Economy prospects as it expands its capabilities and provides real-time information on the global vessel movements and on various activities at ports.

Wilson Power & Distribution Technologies announced a ₹300-crore investment to build an electric transformer facility in Tamil Nadu, creating 543 jobs. Nearly 90% of the company’s production is intended for renewable energy projects; this investment supports Tamil Nadu’s aspirations to be a green energy state and to strengthen its clean-tech ecosystem.

In textiles, Britannia RFID Technologies India Limited, part of the U.K.-headquartered Britannia Garment Packaging, announced a ₹520 crore zero-value investment in a large-scale RFID tag facility in Tiruppur and Namakkal, creating 550 jobs in total. The facility will provide garment traceability, supply chain digitisation, and increase competitiveness against exports.

Education and design were also key areas of focus. Ecole Intuit Lab partnered with Sakthi Excellence Academy to establish a design-intensive higher education institution in Coimbatore to produce creative professionals to support the state's innovation economy. The University of Exeter signed an MoU with the government of Tamilnadu for joint research, faculty exchanges, and cross-border knowledge and expertise sharing.

These agreements probably represent some of the earliest outcomes of Tamil Nadu taking advantage of opportunities presented by the India–U.K. Free Trade Agreement. There were other conversations held to explore potential future collaborations.

M.K. Stalin also reported to DMK cadres on the success of his previous visit to Germany. "Setting aside the criticism of my foreign trips, which is being made for political reasons, I am satisfied with the outcome of attracting investments and creating job opportunities that would boost Tamil Nadu’s economy", he said.