Picture credits: X (pinarayivijayan)
Kochi, Feb 22, 2025: Kerala’s aerospace, defence, and aviation industries have the potential to grow into a $10 Million sector by 2047, according to experts at the Invest Kerala Global Summit held on Feb 22. The rapid expansion of these industries, supported by increasing collaboration between defence research institutions and local enterprises, is expected to drive this growth.
At a session discussing Kerala’s prospects in aerospace, defence, and aviation, speakers highlighted the contributions of Keltron, the HMT unit in Kalamassery, and numerous small-scale industrial units in the state. These organizations play a crucial role in strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Trivandrum International Airport Expansion
Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports and SEZ, revealed significant investments in Kerala, notably the expansion of Trivandrum International Airport. The airport’s capacity will rise from 4.5 million to 12 million passengers annually, enhancing Kerala’s global connectivity. He pledged ₹30,000 crore in investments across multiple sectors, demonstrating the Adani Group’s confidence in the state’s economic growth.
Expanding Opportunities in Aerospace and Defence
G. Levin, CEO of Kerala Spacepark (K-Space), emphasized that Kerala is well-positioned to capitalize on the national growth in these industries. He noted that India’s defence and aviation sectors are expanding rapidly, presenting an opportunity for the state to capture a significant share of this growth.
Pavuluri Subba Rao, Founder and Managing Director of Ananth Technologies, underscored Kerala’s innovative approach to development. He suggested that the state should consider launching its own satellites to monitor various programs, including environmental sustainability and carbon credit tracking.
“Kerala’s vast green cover presents an opportunity to generate revenue through carbon credits, which can be effectively monitored using satellite technology,” Rao stated.
Naval and Defence Sector Growth
The Indian Navy’s Assistant Chief of Materials (IT), Sarath Aashirvad, discussed ongoing warship programs and the increasing involvement of Kerala-based companies like Keltron in supplying defence equipment components. He highlighted the growing demand for local manufacturing and the state’s potential to support India’s self-reliance goals in defence production.
Duvvuri Seshagiri, Director of the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), reinforced this perspective, stating that India is emerging as a global leader in the defence industry. With a ₹6.8 lakh crore defence budget, India is currently the fourth-largest defence spender and aims to achieve 70% self-reliance by 2027, up from the current 50%.
“Kerala has a crucial role to play in India’s defence industry and research sector, given its existing industrial base and research institutions” Seshagiri said.
Future Outlook: Kerala as a Key Player in India’s Defence Strategy
As India continues to push for technological advancements and indigenous production in aerospace and defence, Kerala is expected to play an increasingly significant role. With strategic government support, industry collaborations, and infrastructure investments, the state has the potential to become a major hub for aerospace, aviation, and defence technology.
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