Indian defense electronics giant Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) plans to develop into a leading missile systems integrator within the next five years.
BEL is establishing a Defence Systems Integration Complex at Palasamudram in Andhra Pradesh in southern India jlwith an investment of more than $120 million, Sharma said, adding that it will be country’s largest missile systems integration facility where missile systems such as navigation, seeker,radar, fire control and guidance will be manufactured.
The proposed complex will be a world-class facility with automated-guided vehicles and industrial robots for material movement and handling with state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure for radars and weapon systems integration. The facility at Palasamudram will enable BEL to expand its business and strengthen the country’s capability for manufacturing and integration of upcoming projects in the area of surface-to-air missile systems and network-centric systems.
The complex will also have a state-of-art missile firing range facility.
BEL, however, is not planning to manufacture the missiles themselves. Instead, the company will focus on the development of electronics for missiles —in association with defense research and development laboratories—and build its technical expertise and infrastructure for the integration of missile systems.
Considering the large number of missile system programs in the area, BEL would benefit from diversification by taking on missile manufacturing—something that would require approval of the Indian government and collaboration with private industry if the opportunity arose.
In partnership with DRDO, BEL has successfully developed, manufactured and deployed the Akash missile system for the Indian Air Force as the lead system integrator.
The company also teamed up with state enterprise Bharat Dynamics Limited to supply sensors and command-and-control systems for the Indian Army’s Akash missile program.
To address the needs of India’s armed forces, BEL has also entered into strategic alliances with DRDO, Ordnance Factories, and other reputed global and Indian defense businesses. Projects involved surface-to-air missile systems, air defense radars, artillery and air defense gun upgrades, and new artillery and air defense gun programs.
By Baishakhi Dutta
