BEL embarks on Rs 2,500 crore modernisation

Public sector defence major Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is planning to modernise its facilities and expand capacities at an investment of Rs 2,500 crore in next 3-4 years.

Some of the major projects include defence systems integration complex Palasamudram, EO manufacturing facility at Nimmaluru and Land-based EW Systems at Ibrahimpatnam, and Seeker manufacturing facility among others, the company's top official said.

"The company has been investing significantly towards modernisation and expansion of its infrastructure as per the business needs in line with the growth plans," M V Gowtama, Chairman and Managing Director said in a report to shareholders.

The Bengaluru-based company is also in the process of acquiring land near Devanahalli near Bengaluru and Nagpur to pursue new business opportunities, he said.

The Defence Systems Integration Complex at Palasamudram, in Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh will be the largest such facility in the country once it is commissioned, covering an area of over 900 acres. The facility will enable BEL to expand its Missile Systems business and to carry out manufacturing & integration of systems and sub-systems for upcoming projects.

It will have facilities such as Assembly Hangers, Hard Stands for Radars and Weapon integration, RF radiation sources for target simulation, Automatic Test Equipment, Clean Rooms for electronic assembly, Non-Explosive & Explosive Integration Buildings, Missile Storage Buildings, Environmental Test Chambers, Fire Stations, Solar Power Plant, Estate and Admin Buildings. 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 3 to 4 phases, as various projects mature with an estimated investment of about Rs 500 Crores over next 2-3 years with the first phase in progress, BEL said in the annual report.

The Company is also setting up a plant at Nimmaluru in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh to make IR seekers, Night Vision devices and Thermal Imaging cameras with an investment of about ` 250 Crores. The plant is expected to be operational in next 2 years.

BEL is also upgrading the Image Intensifier technology based tubes fabrication facility at BELOP-Pune from XD-4 to XR-5 technology with an investment of about Rs 200 crore. BEL aims to focus on product support service business and is expanding its product support network by creating Regional Product Support Centers (RPSCs) across India, headed by a General Manager.