The Kerala government has decided to allot 180 acres of land free of cost to BrahMos Aerospace for setting up a new missile production facility in Nettukaltheri in Kattakada, located in Thiruvananthapuram district. The decision was announced on Monday and is being seen as a major step in the state’s defence expansion plans.

The land has been allocated from the historic 457-acre Nettukaltheri open prison campus. Last year, the Supreme Court of India gave its approval to reassign 257 acres from the prison land for other public purposes. Out of this approved land, BrahMos Aerospace has been given the largest share of 180 acres to establish its advanced missile manufacturing unit.

Apart from this, 45 acres of land have been allotted for a battalion headquarters of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Another 32 acres will be used to set up a campus of the National Forensic Sciences University. Nearly 200 acres of the original prison land will continue to function as an open prison, ensuring that its rehabilitative operations remain unaffected.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, approved the proposal after the state government argued that using the land for strategic defence projects would serve the national interest.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the development as a “transformative step” for the state’s industrial growth and economic future. He said the new BrahMos facility is expected to generate more than 500 high-skilled jobs once it becomes fully operational. He also highlighted that the project would bring significant tax revenue and attract major investments into the region.

The new site at Nettukaltheri, located near the Neyyar Dam area, will allow BrahMos Aerospace to expand and relocate its current 15.8-acre unit at Chackai in Thiruvananthapuram. The upgraded facility will support large-scale production of advanced missiles and strategic defence equipment. These systems are being developed in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

BrahMos Aerospace is an important Indo-Russian joint venture known for producing supersonic cruise missiles. These missiles are recognised for their precision and versatility and can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms. The new facility in Kerala supports India’s broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It aims to strengthen indigenous production capabilities in the defence sector.

Strategic experts believe that this move will position Thiruvananthapuram as a growing centre for defence and aerospace innovation. The project also complements the state-supported K-Space Park initiative, which is designed to attract investments from aerospace and defence companies and create a strong industrial ecosystem.

Kerala’s move reflects a larger national trend in which southern states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are becoming important hubs for defence manufacturing. Thiruvananthapuram’s proximity to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre further strengthens its potential as a centre where missile and space technologies can develop together.

The new missile manufacturing hub is expected to encourage the growth of related industries, including precision engineering and electronics. It is also likely to create opportunities for skilled workforce training programmes. Employment benefits, especially for engineers and technicians, are expected to positively impact the local economy and address youth unemployment in the state.

The BrahMos missiles produced at the facility are known for their extended range, which can reach nearly 800 kilometres in some variants. These capabilities strengthen the Indian Armed Forces’ strike power, especially at a time of evolving geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Construction of the new facility is expected to move forward in the coming years, with commissioning anticipated within the next few years. Once operational, the hub will mark Kerala’s strong entry into India’s defence industrial corridor. The initiative highlights cooperation between the Centre and the state government in advancing national security goals while also promoting industrial development.