Is India Ready to Launch Its New Chip Industry with Production Set to Begin This Year?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India has initiated its semiconductor industry, focusing on lithography.
- ASML's involvement is pivotal for India's manufacturing capabilities.
- Commercial production is set to start soon, with the first plant opening in February.
- The move is expected to foster the growth of local mobile phone brands.
- This development signifies a major milestone for India's technology sector.
New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) India has initiated a groundbreaking semiconductor industry, with lithography recognized as the most intricate and precision-driven process in the semiconductor manufacturing landscape, as per government sources.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the Dutch multinational giant ASML stands as the global leader in lithographic equipment, facilitating nearly every chip produced worldwide.
“Our facility in Dholera will utilize ASML's advanced tools. I traveled here to gain insights into their technology,” Vaishnaw stated during his visit to ASML's headquarters in Veldhoven, Netherlands.
He asserted that ASML's involvement in India marks a pivotal advancement.
According to Vaishnaw, numerous equipment manufacturers globally are eager to set up operations in India, drawn by the nation's design expertise, vast talent pool, and the enduring policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Regarding semiconductors, the minister mentioned that pilot production has already started in several authorized facilities, with full commercial production anticipated to commence soon.
Speaking from Davos, he emphasized that the government is methodically establishing a robust semiconductor ecosystem to fortify India’s long-term capabilities in this vital sector.
“Commercial production is expected to launch soon at one of the four semiconductor plants where pilot production is already underway, with the first facility slated to begin operations in February,” Vaishnaw conveyed.
He described this achievement as a significant milestone reached after six decades of effort, showcasing Prime Minister Modi's unwavering commitment to developing foundational technologies.
With a solid and mature electronics ecosystem now established, the time is ripe for India to cultivate its own homegrown mobile phone brands.
India is projected to launch its own mobile phone brands within the next 12 to 18 months, the minister noted.