BrahMos Expansion in Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Cabinet Sanctions 90 Acres More to DRDO

Image for representation.

The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to release an additional 90 acres to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as part of a proposal to build a new facility for BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL) in the district.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan said in a post-cabinet briefing that the state government had earlier released 90 acres. The project required a total of 180 acres and additional permission for 90 acres was required for DRDO approval, he said.

In December 2025, the Supreme Court approved the transfer of land under the Nettukaltheri open jail complex to BATL. The unit, the second of the BATL in Thiruvananthapuram district after the one in Chakka, is expected to be dedicated to advanced missiles and strategic hardware.

BATL was established in Chakka in 2007 as a 100% subsidiary of the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL) by taking over the Kerala Government owned Kerala Hi-Tech Industries Ltd (Keltec). It manufactures systems, components for various organizations including DRDO, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), BAPL and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

The new BATL facility is expected to prove a major link in the development of strategic industries in the aerospace and defense sectors in and around Thiruvananthapuram. In the final budget of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, the then Finance Minister KN Balagopal announced a “Defence Corridor” connecting various defense and space research institutions in the region, including BATL. In the first budget (Revised Budget 2026-27) of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government, Chief Minister VD Satheesan announced a “South Kerala Economic Corridor” linking Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha districts into a single economic zone of “national strategic importance”.

Published – 29 Jul 2026 21:27 IST