KLA Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish a permanent research and development (R&D) and innovation campus in Chennai. The company plans to invest USD 400 million, approximately INR 36 billion, over the next decade in the proposed 12-acre facility.
The campus is envisioned as KLA’s global R&D and innovation hub, with potential built-up capacity of up to 1.5 million square feet over time. The facility will support advanced research in high-performance computing, process control engineering software and artificial intelligence-driven semiconductor innovation. It is expected to create up to 4,000 high-skilled jobs over the next ten years.
“This MoU reflects our long‑term commitment to India as a strategic hub for R&D, software, and innovation — an ecosystem where complex, high‑impact work can be conceived and delivered at global scale,” said Dominic Gerald David, President, KLA India.
Earlier, on 7 January, KLA had opened a new R&D and Innovation Hub in Chennai spanning more than 300,000 square feet. The facility is designed to accommodate up to 1,300 employees and supports the company’s artificial intelligence, software development, engineering and product support functions in the region. KLA has been operating in India since 2004 and has developed its local operations into an artificial intelligence and engineering centre of excellence. This facility has been designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and WELL standards and incorporates energy-efficient systems, wellness and fitness areas, café spaces, social hubs and specialised engineering spaces, including areas equipped for printed circuit boards, circuits and three-dimensional printing.
“This builds on 20 years of contribution from our India teams and reinforces our long-term commitment to India’s semiconductor future. Today, we build for the next 20, ” said Dominic Gerald David. “This represents a significant milestone in how KLA continues to build for the future in India. Investing where innovation compounds, we’re scaling the trust, magnitude, and momentum.”
T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “KLA which is one of the BIG 3 in Semiconductor manufacturing design and R&D, has today signed an MoU with Guidance Tamil Nadu to invest USD 400 million (about INR 3,600 crore), to establish its global R&D and Innovation Campus in Chennai.” He added, “This planned campus will create up to 4,000 high skilled jobs.” Referring to the scale of the project, he said, “When fully developed, this will be KLA’s largest integrated R&D presence outside its global headquarters.”
The minister also said the campus “is envisioned as KLA’s global R&D and innovation hub, with potential built up capacity of up to 1.5 million square feet over time” and that it “will support advanced research in high performance computing, process control engineering software and AI driven semiconductor innovation.”
KLA Corporation develops process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related microelectronics industries.
