MV Gowtama, Chairman/MD Bharat Electronics Limited
: On BEL’s participation at Aero India 2017.
BEL showcased capabilities spanning every domain of its business – electronic warfare and avionics, C4I systems, communication systems, electro optics, radars, C4I solutions, energy Shelters and missile systems. BEL is also displaying its R&D capabilities by demonstrating some of its new products and technologies.
Electronic Warfare and airborne products on display included avionics for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), light weight ESM System for helicopters and LRUs for the Rustom Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
Communication systems on display were the Software Defined Radio – Airborne and AFV versions (with live display), Radio On The Move (ROTM), Stars V Mk-III, CNR Mk-II, SATCOM terminal manpack and handheld, and advanced landing ground communication terminal, besides BEL’s complete range of electro optics, which were demonstrated live.
BEL also showcased a host of new radars – ground penetrating radar, through wall radar, Schilka weapon system, weapon locating radar and mine field recording system. A C4I systems capability demonstration was showcased in a live ‘ Customer Experience Centre’ during the exhibition. Naval systems capability is being displayed through our advanced composite communication System.
The highlight of BEL’s outdoor display is the Army version of the Akash Surfaceto-Air Missile system, including the Troop level radar, troop control centre, and troop power supply vehicle.
: Please review BEL’s recent deliveries to the Indian armed forces.
BEL has successfully executed many notable orders for the Indian armed forces. These include Akash SAM systems for the Indian Army and Air Force, 3D tactical radar for the Army, passive night vision devices, low level light weight radar for the Air Force, fire control systems, ship data network and new generation sonars for the Navy.
Significant orders received by BEL in the recent past include Integrated Air Command Control System ( IACCS), weapon locating radar, hand held thermal imager with laser range finder, ground based mobile ELINT, integrated communication system, submarine sonars, electronic ammunition fuses, armoured engineer reconnaissance vehicle and EW system for IAC.
: Please give an update on the Akash and other BEL missile programmes.
Akash is a great success story and the best example of the Indigenous Design Development and Manufacturing (IDDM) drive. Almost 92 per cent of the total inputs are sourced from within India. Akash is the first indigenously developed air defence missile system in our country, realised by DRDO with support from BEL, BDL and private industry. Akash is a role model for Public-Private Partnership, as a massive, state-of-the-art missile system, which has been realised through professional project management spearheaded by BEL. While the radars, control centres, simulators, associated maintenance vehicles and the integrated software for the system are supplied by BEL, the missiles are from BDL, squadron control centre is from ECIL and the launchers are supplied by Tata Power SED and L&T. There are around 500 vendors in the programme, of which 108 are MSMEs.
With the Weapon System expertise gained in Akash, BEL is ready for futuristic programmes like the Quick Response Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), Medium Range SAM (MRSAM), Long Range SAM, Akash–NG, etc and can execute them as ‘turn-key’ projects. BEL is already nominated as Lead System Integrator for the QR SAM programme, and the supply chain created for Akash will also benefit through these programmes.