Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is setting up a defence systems integration complex at Palasamudram, Gorantala Mandal, in Anantapuramu District of Andhra Pradesh.
It will be the largest such facility in the country once it is commissioned, covering an area of over 900 acres.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, will lay the foundation stone of this facility on September 30 in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Y S Chowdary, Minister of State for Science and Technology.
S K Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director, BEL, says: "We at BEL have been continuously investing in modernisation and creation of special infrastructure to cater for emerging defence business opportunities. The upcoming facility at Palasamudram is one such initiative. We are also strengthening our infrastructure in areas like night vision technologies and elements of multifunction radars. Various new surface to air missile (SAM) programmes are proposed to be taken up by BEL, viz, Quick Reaction SAM , Long Range SAM, Medium Range SAM, etc, in addition to Network Centric Communication and Electronic Warfare systems.''
He added, "To achieve self-reliance in defence, there is need for a very strong indigenous R and D. In this direction, BEL has not only maintained a consistent policy of R&D investments but also has launched collaborative R&D with private SME firms in the country. On an average, 80 percent of BEL's Sales turnover is from indigenous R&D every year. BEL has now launched a Product Development & Innovation Centre at Bangalore to give further thrust towards indigenous R and D."
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As part of diversification and business growth, BEL is looking towards major expansion into New Generation SAM systems, High end Image Intensifier Tubes and Thermal Imaging detectors for Night Vision Devices, Inertial Navigation Systems, Electronic Ammunition Fuses, Air Traffic Management Radars, Intelligent Traffic Management Systems and Solar Power Plants.
The Palasamudram facility will enable BEL to expand its missile systems business and will carry out manufacturing and integration for the ongoing and upcoming projects.
It will have state-of-the-art infrastructure such as assembly hangars and hard stands for radars and weapon integration, RF radiation sources for target simulation, Automatic test rquipment, clean rooms for electronic assembly, non-explosive and explosive integration buildings, missile storage buildings, environmental test chambers, fire stations, solar power plant, estate and admin buildings.
BEL is currently manufacturing the Akash Missile Systems (AMS) for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. The Akash Missile System is a supersonic, short-range surface-to-air missile system designed and developed by DRDO, with the capability to engage a wide variety of aerial threats like aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. BEL is the lead integrator of the Akash Missile System for the Indian Air Force and supplies the Radars, Control Centres, Simulators, associated maintenance vehicles and the integrated software.
At present, BEL carries out its missile manufacturing and integration activities and system level checks at its Bangalore Unit. In order to cater to the large requirements of futuristic surface to air missile systems, missiles and associated electronic sub-systems and components, BEL is setting up this facility in Andhra Pradesh.
The facility is about 80 Km from the Bengaluru International Airport on NH 7. The proposed Complex will be a world-class facility with Automated Guided Vehicles and Industrial Robots for material movement and handling. The facility will be built in stages as the various projects mature and the estimated investment will be about Rs.500 Crores over three to four years.
BEL also plans to expand this facility for the creation of a military industrial complex to set up the necessary ecosystem for manufacture of electronic components and equipment for various upcoming Defence projects in collaboration with SMEs as part of the Government's 'Make in India' initiative.