KOCHI: Kerala govt-owned Keltron has bagged three major defence orders, further cementing its position as a key player in the sector as the state Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) is set to accomplish its long-term goal of reaching a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore in this fiscal itself.
The PSU, which is in the path of revival, got orders from the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, for the manufacture of the flight-in-air mechanism module; from Bharat Dynamics Ltd for India’s first indigenously developed NPOL-designed torpedo power amplifier; and from Rekise Marine Pvt Ltd., (a start-up chosen by the Indian Navy to build an autonomous underwater vessel) for the manufacture of the bow and flank arrays.
“We’re happy to inform you that the PSU is on the path of revival. Keltron will achieve a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore this financial year. It recently created history by manufacturing the country’s first super capacitor as part of the 100-day program of the government,” said Industries Minister P Rajeeve. He was speaking at a function held here to hand over strategic defence electronics equipment manufactured by the PSU for key defence and public sector entities, including Bharat Electronics Ltd, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) and Hindustan Shipyard Ltd.
These state-of-the-art systems include the sonar power amplifier, marine sonar array, transducer elements, submarine echo sounder, submarine cavitation meter, sonar transmitter system, submarine towed array, and active noise cancellation system.
“Similarly, Coconics, a laptop manufacturing company, is introducing four new models in tie-up with Keltron and two of them will be under the brand name of Keltron,” the minister added.
Keltron is taking decisive steps forward under the state government’s policy to build an electronics ecosystem in Kerala. Attingal Keltron Knowledge Center has already commenced operations as part of the plan to set up two job-oriented skill development centres in Thiruvananthapuram. The second knowledge centre at Kazhakoottam will start functioning soon.
The PSU recently bagged a Rs 80 crore order from Tirupati Smart City Corporation Ltd to implement and operate pan-city information and communication technology solutions and set up the City Operations Center (COC).
Keltron is targeting a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore by 2025 and Rs 2,000 crore by 2030.
The event was presided over by MLA Uma Thomas, with key dignitaries in attendance, including Industries Department Principal Secretary APM Muhammad Haneesh IAS, Officer on Special Duty Annie Jula Thomas IAS, NPOL Director Dr D Seshagiri, NSTL Director Dr Abraham Varughese, Bharat Electronics Naval Systems Head K Kumar, and BDL GM Simhachalam.