L&T forms strategic partnership with BEL for India’s 5th-generation fighter aircraft programme

The consortium will participate in the expression of interest notice issued by the Aeronautical Development Agency

Bengaluru: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has formed a strategic partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to support the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme of the Indian Air Force. The consortium will participate in the expression of interest notice issued by the Government of India’s (GoI) Aeronautical Development Agency by way of submitting a response in the coming weeks.

The partnership will leverage L&T’s expertise in developing strategic defence and aerospace platforms, along with BEL’s experience in defence electronics and systems, to jointly contribute to India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s defence capabilities in line with the GoI’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat. By combining the strengths of the two leading defence technology providers, the partnership seeks to deliver a cutting-edge, high-quality solution, L&T said in a statement.

Commenting on the development, S N Subrahmanyan, chairman and managing director, L&T, said: “The collaboration with BEL marks a significant leap in our commitment to the modernisation of India's defence capabilities. We are honoured to be working with BEL to deliver next-generation technologies for the Indian Air Force. Both the organisations are leaders in our respective domains, and our combined efforts will play a crucial role in bolstering national security and advancing self-reliance in defence technologies”.

In the past, L&T and BEL have played pivotal roles in India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft programme by supplying major aero-structure modules and developing mission-critical avionics and electronic systems. Building on this legacy, the consortium will bring proven expertise and commitment to the timely delivery of world-class defence and aerospace platforms for the Indian Air Force.

Manoj Jain, chairman and managing director, BEL, said: “The AMCA project represents India’s growing capabilities in defence technology. Our collaboration with L&T is a crucial step in realising this vision. With L&T’s engineering and systems integration capabilities and BEL’s expertise in defence electronics, we are confident of delivering a world-class solution that will serve the Indian Air Force for decades to come”.