Keltron begins sonar integration for Jalkapi, wins first direct NPCIL order

Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (Keltron) has begun integrating the bow array and flank array sonar systems developed for Jalkapi, an indigenously manufactured underwater vessel system.

Minister for Industries, Commerce, IT and AI P.K. Kunhalikutty inaugurated the integration phase at Keltron Electro Ceramics Limited (KECL) at Kuttippuram on Monday, September 28, 2026. The event formed part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government's first 100-day action programme.

Speaking at the function, the Minister described Keltron as an institution that Kerala could be proud of, and said the organisation's ability to manufacture products using advanced technology was a matter of pride. He assured that the government would extend full support to Keltron's development initiatives.

According to the company, manufacture of the sonar systems has been completed. The electronic modules for the Jalkapi project were developed at Keltron Controls at Aroor, while the sensors were developed at its Malappuram unit. The integration phase now under way brings these components together as a complete system.

Commodore Amit Ray, Deputy Director General, Submarine Design, represented the Indian Navy at the event and provided details of the project.

In a separate development announced at the same function, Keltron Equipment Complex (KEC) at Karakulam in Thiruvananthapuram has received a contract to manufacture power electronics products for units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The contract was handed over by Subhashish Roy, Executive Director of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Keltron said this is its first direct order from NPCIL, the public sector body that operates India's nuclear power plants.

Keltron is a public sector undertaking under the Government of Kerala, engaged in the design and manufacture of electronics products and systems. The Kudankulam plant, in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, is among the country's largest nuclear power installations, and units 5 and 6 are under construction.

Among those who attended the event were BPT Executive Chairman K. Ajith Kumar, Malappuram district panchayat member Vaseema Velery, block panchayat member M. Soumya, employees' union representatives and Keltron employees.

Keltron managing director Sreekumar Nair welcomed the gathering, and KECL managing director Jacob Tharakan proposed a vote of thanks.

The two announcements together indicate the state public sector unit's expansion into defence-related electronics and nuclear power equipment supply, both areas where India has been seeking to build domestic manufacturing capacity.