BrahMos, made in Trivandrum: Capital set to become strategic hub

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the success of Operation Sindoor, 17 countries are now waiting to procure the BrahMos missile, a pride of India’s defence sector. The Philippines has already received missiles worth Rs 3,300 crore. Following the Lucknow unit, which manufactures 100 missiles annually, a new production unit is set to be established at Nettukaltheri in Thiruvananthapuram, marking the city as a strategic hub for defence and aerospace industries.

The Supreme Court recently approved the allocation of land from the 457-acre Nettukaltheri open jail for this purpose. The unit will not only produce advanced BrahMos missiles but also manufacture other strategic hardware.

Currently, BrahMos Aerospace in Chackai produces missile integration systems and is the only facility in the country making small turbine fan engines used in the missiles. It also supplies components to ISRO, BARC, GTRE, and the Kalpakkam Nuclear Facility. Thiruvananthapuram already hosts ISRO units that manufacture rocket engines, liquid fuel systems, and navigation technology.

Additionally, the National Forensic Science University and the battalion headquarters of the Central Armed Police Force, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), will be set up in Nettukaltheri.

Major job opportunities

1. The BrahMos missile production unit will transform Thiruvananthapuram into a high-technology hub, benefiting many small and medium industries.

2. Hundreds of subcontract opportunities will be available for supporting industrial units. Large-scale employment will be created in sectors such as electronics, aerospace, mechanical, and electrical engineering.

National Forensic Science University and SSB
The National Forensic Science University in Thiruvananthapuram will become a leading national research institution. Currently, state forensic laboratories cannot even unlock iPhones for criminal cases, highlighting the need for this facility.

The SSB battalion headquarters will bring a permanent presence of a central armed force to the capital. Trained to prevent human trafficking, drug and arms smuggling, and infiltration, the force will play a critical role in securing Vizhinjam Port, which has strategic importance.