BEL Secures ₹2,210 Crore Contract for Advanced EW Suites

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has secured a major contract from the Ministry of Defence for the delivery of state-of-the-art Electronic Warfare (EW) suites for the Indian Air Force's Mi-17 V5 helicopters. With an estimated value of ₹2,210 crore (minus taxes), the contract reflects the government's drive to enhance indigenous defence capabilities.

The latest EW suite, developed and designed by the Centre for Airborne Systems and Integrated Defence Combat Systems (CASDIC) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is to be produced by BEL. The system includes a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), and a CounterMeasure Dispensing System (CMDS). These systems are essential to improve the operational survivability of IAF helicopters in enemy territory by detecting and countering radar and missile threats.

This major acquisition of EW suites is a major push towards "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) in defence technology, as a part of the "Make in India" strategy. The Defence Ministry has issued a statement confirming that most of the sub-assemblies and components for this endeavour will be indigenously procured from native manufacturers, hence promoting the direct involvement of Indian electronics and connected industries, namely Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

For BEL, this order is a significant addition to its order book. With this new agreement, the company's overall order intake for the ongoing financial year has now reached ₹2,803 crore. This achievement showcases BEL's position as a major player in the Indian defence manufacturing industry and its continued support to the armed forces through the supply of state-of-the-art, indigenous defence solutions.

The deal for EW suites is included in the defence procurement category known as Buy (Indian-IDDM). IDDM is an acronym for indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured, meaning the emphasis India lays on domestic technology in defence planning. To encourage self-sufficiency in defence production, the government in recent years has put in place a range of initiatives such as phased import prohibition, a special budget for locally produced military hardware, enhanced foreign direct investment, and ease of doing business.

On its part, the Indian Air Force will have access to cutting-edge electronic warfare systems, which are a critical part of its command and control requirements. The BEL deal is indeed a significant testament to India's increasing self-reliance in the vital defence industry. DRDO-BEL partnership, emphasizing indigenous sourcing, is a hallmark of the strategy of developing a strong and indigenous defence industrial base.

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