Indian Army awards Bharat Electronics Rs 4,522cr contract for ammunition fuses

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a leading Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company, has received a substantial order worth Rs 4,522 Crore from the Indian Army for the supply of fuses for various calibres. This significant contract was signed on 15th December 2023 by Major General Gurpreet Singh Choudhry, SM, VSM [JS (Army & TA)/DMA], and Shri Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, in the presence of Vice Admiral Atul Anand, AVSM, VSM, Additional Secretary (DMA). The tender emphasized the indigenization of critical technologies, aligning with the Indian government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

This project marks a significant collaboration between BEL and the Indian electronics industry, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that act as sub-vendors for BEL. The equipment manufactured by BEL under this contract is a part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ program, which aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defense technologies.

In addition to this major defense contract, BEL has also secured additional orders worth Rs 356 Crores since the last disclosure on 6th December 2023. These orders encompass a range of products, including Electronic Warfare (EW) Testers, Medical Systems (Exports), Consumables and Batteries for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Night Vision Devices Spares, and Services.

With these recent orders, BEL has cumulatively received orders worth Rs. 23176 Crores (excluding taxes) in the current financial year 2023-24. This achievement not only underscores BEL’s pivotal role in India’s defense sector but also highlights the company’s diversification into various other technological domains.

The contract from the Indian Army is a testament to BEL’s capabilities in meeting the defense needs of the country and its commitment to the government’s vision of self-reliance in defense production. It also signifies the growing competence of the Indian defense industry in indigenizing critical military technologies, thereby enhancing the nation’s strategic autonomy in defense procurement.