Thiruvananthapuram — Former Union Minister and Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar clarified that BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL) will be brought under the direct management of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), setting aside reports of unit delinking or shutdown.
Clarifying BATL’s Strategic Transfer to DRDO
“A few weeks ago, I had brought the concerns regarding the delinking of BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram (BATL) from its parent company to the authorities in the Ministry of Defence,” Chandrasekhar stated.
He said the MoD has now assured that BATL will be absorbed into DRDO, ensuring employees are integrated within the Government of India framework and MP Chandrasekhar added:
“This will bring the employees of BATL directly under the Government of India framework and be part of India’s #AtmaNirbharBharat program, which was not possible working as a JV with a foreign firm.”
He emphasized that the move will unleash BATL’s full potential, guard its employees’ interests, and align the unit with the nation’s strategic priorities.
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Countering Rumours and Protecting Local Interests
Chandrasekhar dismissed reports of closure as false. He accused unions like INTUC and AITUC of spreading misinformation. “Employee unions have raised concerns… claiming the centre was facing closure,” he said, adding such claims were misleading.
Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and CPI’s Binoy Viswam wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, highlighting their concern. Tharoor pointed out that employees “were recently alarmed to learn… that a resolution had been passed to delink BATL from BAPL… without prior knowledge or consultation of the state government, the employees, or the trade unions.”
Legacy and Gainful Operations of BATL
The facility spans 15.8 acres near Trivandrum airport and traces its origins to Kerala Hi-Tech Industries Ltd (KELTEC). KELTEC was transferred to DRDO in 2007—but governance challenges prompted its assignment to BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL), a joint venture with Russia, later that year.
By January 2008, it became a wholly owned BAPL subsidiary under the name BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL). It currently manufactures metallic air components, gas-generator control panels, B1‑BII boosters, F3 CKD‑SKD kits, and logistic containers for missile systems. The unit has remained consistently profitable, reporting a profit of ₹24 crore in FY 2024–25.
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