The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched efforts to create a cutting-edge air defence facility in Chaliyam, close to Beypore in Kozhikode, as part of a broader push to fortify India’s southern security architecture.

The IAF has formally approached the Kozhikode District Collector, the Southern Air Command (SAC), and the National Institute for Research and Development in Defence Shipbuilding (NIRDESH) to secure land in Chaliyam currently held by NIRDESH. IAF sent a formal proposal about two months ago.

This envisioned centre is set to incorporate advanced radar technology capable of identifying missiles and other airborne threats. Though specifics remain under wraps, insiders suggest the initiative aligns with India’s strategic goal of enhancing its air defence network. A comparable radar facility is already operational in Lakshadweep, reinforcing the region’s security framework.

Years ago, during A.K. Antony’s time as Defence Minister, the Kerala state government handed over 40 acres in Chaliyam to the Defence Ministry for a planned naval research and design hub. Despite an initial ceremony marking the project’s launch, it never progressed, leaving the land idle for an extended period.

The site is currently managed by Mazagon Dock Limited, a Mumbai-based defence shipbuilding company. With no competing uses for the land, its reassignment to the IAF’s proposed air defence centre faces minimal challenges.

This move coincides with heightened concerns over China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean, particularly in Sri Lanka, where China has secured a lease on Hambantota Port and is reportedly pursuing an airbase. These developments have spurred India to bolster its air defence capabilities along the southern coast.

The Chaliyam land is governed by a cooperative society involving Mazagon Dock, the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard, and Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam, which could streamline its transfer for this critical defence project.