Crown Defence has launched an indigenous Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly facility in Verna, Goa, under Aviatech Enterprises Pvt. Ltd (AEPL). The facility is aimed at enhancing domestic capabilities in high-reliability electronics for both defence and selected civil applications. The facility is designed to support mission-critical electronics across various sectors, including aviation, maritime, and industrial systems.
High-precision PCB assembly for diverse applications
It offers high-precision PCB assembly solutions for boards ranging in size from 80 × 80 mm to 460 × 460 mm, with a thickness capability between 0.4 mm and 8 mm, adhering to controlled edge clearance standards of 3–5 mm. Operational from March 2026, the facility meets reliability, consistency, and traceability standards essential for strategic programmes and is positioned to engage with both domestic and international projects.
The AEPL facility is more than just a manufacturing site; it serves as a strategic electronics capability hub to meet the rising demand for domestic PCB assembly solutions. The Indian PCBA market is currently valued at about US$ 6.3 billion, with a growth rate of nearly 16 percent CAGR, fuelled by increased demand in defence and industrial sectors. With over 1,000 items now covered under government import restrictions—many of which were previously sourced internationally—ensuring access to reliable domestic assembly capacity has become crucial.
Strategic importance
According to Vice Admiral (Retd) Paras Nath, the Group President of Crown, “Electronics availability increasingly determines platform readiness and upgrade cycles. Establishing in-country PCB assembly capability improves supply predictability and supports India’s broader objectives of reducing external dependencies across defence and critical civil sectors.”
Integration enhances quality and execution
Commodore (Retd) S.K. Iyer, Head – Aviation, Aviatech Enterprises Pvt. Ltd, added, “The Verna unit enables tighter integration between electronics assembly and downstream aviation support activities, enhancing quality control and execution timelines for modernisation, upgrades and sustainment programmes.”
Supporting long-term defence and industrial readiness
Crown Defence functions through specialised subsidiaries providing maintenance, repair, overhaul, upgrades, and modernisation services in both defence and civil sectors. The integration of PCB assembly capabilities at AEPL enhances the group’s system-level sustainment strengths, furthering its commitment to supporting India’s long-term defence and industrial readiness.