Page 23 - ADT JANUARY 2021 Online Magazine

Future up plans to offer its select products and systems to various export markets.

in South East Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and North America
through constant engagement with customers and is also working closely
with other Indian companies and local partners in the respective coun-
Focussed tries as part of maximising its geo-strategic reach and increase its global
footprint.
Please provide further details on BEL’s
export customers?
INDIAN DEFENCE PUBLIC SECTOR BEL has been exporting products such as Communication Systems,
Coastal Surveillance System, Missile Systems, Radars, Electronic Warfare
The Company has put in efforts for increasing its business opportunities [ INTERVIEW BEL ]
UNDERTAKING (DPSU) BEL IS ON Systems, Electro Optic Systems and Electro Optic Fire Control Systems,
AN EXPORT DRIVE Radar Finger Printing System, Naval Systems, Radar Warning Receivers,
Electronic Voting Machines and various other equipment to USA, UK,
Russia, Italy, Brazil, Germany, France, Israel, Indonesia, Honduras, Malaysia,
Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa and many
other friendly countries. BEL achieved Export sales of US$ 48.59 Million
during FY 2019-20. Some of the other products and systems which are
being promoted for exports include Homeland Security solutions, Smart
City solutions, Border Protection systems and Coastal Surveillance
System. Having established a Coastal Surveillance System (CSS) for a few
neighbouring countries, BEL is interacting with Ministry of External Affairs
for supply of CSS to other friendly countries. Recently, the Government
approved the export of the indigenously developed Akash Missile System
to friendly foreign countries.
Indian state-owned defence electronics firm, Bharat
Electronics Limited (BEL) is striving towards cap- How does BEL plan to benefit from the
turing a major share of an export target of Rs35 Government’s Atmanirbhar initiative?
billion, set over the next five years by the Indian Defence has been identified as a core sector to boost the Make in India
Government. One of BEL’s flagship products, the vision of achieving $5 billion worth of exports. Major initiatives by BEL
Akash Surface to Air Missile (SAM) system has towards Make in India/Atmanirbhar Bharat include strong thrust on R&D,
now been cleared for export, following numer- Collaborative R&D, Defence Innovation Organisation incorporated by BEL
ous requests for the same. Coastal Surveillance and HAL to create an ecosystem to foster innovation, and technology
Systems, Homeland Security solutions, Smart City development in Defence by engaging R&D institutes, academia, industries,
solutions and Border Protection systems are also start-ups and individual innovators. To promote the Make in India initiative,
part of the company’s export focus. “Having estab- BEL has established Make in India Display Cells, appointed Nodal Officers
lished a Coastal Surveillance System (CSS) for a for Outsourcing & Vendor Development in all its Units and updated its
few neighbouring countries, BEL is interacting with policies and procedures. BEL has implemented the Make-II Policy of GoI
Ministry of External Affairs for supply of CSS to and issued several EoIs to Indian vendors. The Company has been put-
other friendly countries,” says Anandi Ramalingam, ting in efforts to create a strong vendor base in India and has currently
Director (Marketing), BEL. The company’s strong more than 21,000 vendors including domestic vendors and MSMEs. BEL
domestic orderbook, which stands at Rs52 billion is extending its Test facilities for use to private industries. BEL is pursing
will also aid BEL in its efforts to increase exports. development/ production opportunities with DRDO under DcPP model for
various indigenous development/production programmes. The Company
Edited excerpts from the interview: has entered into partnerships / strategic alliances with foreign OEMs as
well as major Indian industries to address large and strategic programme
How does BEL plan to increase its requirements, leveraging its complimentary capabilities and assuming the
exports and global presence? role of a Lead integrator / Tier-1 partner for indigenous manufacturing. BEL
BEL is fast expanding its global presence, putting is constantly exploring possibilities of forging JV Partnerships.
its best foot forward to give a thrust to exports
worldwide. All-out efforts are being made to tap What are BEL’s key growth drivers for the future?
new markets across the globe. In a bid to develop Existing business segments such as Radar & Missile Systems,
new markets in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), BEL Communication & Network Centric Systems, Anti-Submarine Warfare &
has operationalised overseas marketing offices in Sonar Systems, Tank Electronics, Gun Upgrades, Electro-Optics, Electro-
Oman, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. BEL has Explosive and Electronic Warfare & Avionics systems will continue to drive
also expanded its Singapore and New York Regional BEL’s growth in the coming years. BEL has been putting in continual efforts
Offices to handle marketing activities. BEL is also to diversify into several new areas in both Defence and non-defence to
thinking of establishing similar offices in Nigeria, sustain growth. Some of the areas BEL is focussing on in Defence are
Brazil, Armenia and Kazakhstan. Next Generation Weapon Programmes, Electro-Optics, Airborne Radars,
The Government is encouraging defence exports Arms & Ammunitions and Explosives, Unmanned Systems, Night Vision
through many policy initiatives and has set a target of Devices, Inertial Navigation Systems solutions for various platforms, Helmet
Rs.35 billion by 2024-25. BEL has identified Exports Mounted Display Systems, Counter Measures Systems for Airborne
and Offsets as one of its thrust areas and has drawn Platforms, Composites, etc.
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