Established in 1954, BEL engages in manufacturing of specialised electronic equipment requirements of the Indian Defence Services. BEL produces a wide range of equipment for areas such as defence communication, radars, naval systems, c4i systems, weapon systems, homeland security, telecom & broadcast systems, electronic warfare, tank electronics, electro-optics, professional electronic components and solar photovoltaic systems.
BEL – Timeline and Key News
Year | Milestone |
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2025 |
In January, BEL and IAI, Israel's leading aerospace and defence company, have announced the establishment of a Joint Venture Company (JVC), which has been incorporated in the name of BEL IAI AeroSystems Private Ltd. The JVC has been set up for providing life cycle support, both technical and maintenance related, for MRSAM air-defence systems of the country. |
2024 |
On September 30, 2024, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO signed an MoU in Ahmedabad to collaborate on the indigenisation and production of space-grade Travelling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) in India. This partnership aims to enhance domestic defence and space production and reduce foreign exchange expenditures. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has received orders worth Rs. 1,150 Crore (US$ 138.89 million) till date during the financial year 2024-25. The major orders include AMC of Akash Missile System, Combat Management System for ships, Missile Fire Control System for ships, Laser Range Finders, Communication Network Centre, etc. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed an Rs.847.70 crore (US$ 101.9 million) contract with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to supply 14 advanced Communication and Electronic Warfare sensors and systems for the Indian Navy's Cadet Training Ships. This partnership highlights strong industry collaboration and supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, involving numerous MSMEs. Additionally, BEL has received further orders worth Rs. 1,092.65 crore (US$ 131.2 million) for various military supplies. In January 2024, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) partnered with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi to translate breakthroughs in Naval Deep Tech research being carried out at CARE - IIT Delhi into products for the Indian Navy. |
2023 |
In September 2023, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s leading aerospace and defence company, inked an MoU for co-operation in addressing India’s requirements in the domain of Short Range Air Defence Systems. As informed in August 2023, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) designed and manufactured a customised Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) HAZMAT (Hazardous Material) Vehicle in a record time for the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). In July 2023, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and CoRover Private Limited, a human-centric conversational and generative AI company, signed a two-year, non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate as partners and indigenously develop and deploy emerging technologies and technical solutions to address the requirements of AI-based solutions, especially Conversational AI-based virtual assistants. In July 2023, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Gabriel Power and Energy Pvt Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate as partners and come up with state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technologies which can be manufactured in India for the use of Government and private sectors. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) received new Defence and non-Defence orders worth US$ 264 million (Rs. 2,191 crore). Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has achieved a turnover of about US$ 2.11 billion (Rs. 17,300 crore), during the financial year 2022-23, registering a growth of 15%. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) received export orders worth US$ 52 million (approx.) in the month of March 2023. The Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, signed two contracts worth US$ 329.2 million (Rs. 2,696 crore) with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bangalore in March, 2023 to bolster the defence capabilities of the country. BEL won three ICC (Indian Chamber of Commerce) PSE Excellence Awards for the “Company of the Year”, “Inclusivity - Contribution of Women and Differently Abled in PSEs”, as well as Runner Up Award for “Operational Performance Excellence” in March, 2023. BEL signed an MoU with the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK Surathkal) in March, 2023 for co-operation in R&D for the development of emerging technologies and technical solutions for both Defence and non-Defence applications. At Aero India 2023, the biennial air show and aviation exhibition held at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco for long- term strategic co-operation in the areas of networking, collaboration and security, among other associated services. BEL signed an MoU with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO, for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The MoU was announced on the sidelines of the “Bandhan” event held at Aero India 2023. BEL & Israel Aerospace Industries to form joint venture for product support to India's armed forces. |
2022 |
In November 2022, Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has signed an MoU with Bosch Global Software Technologies Pvt Ltd (BGSW) for jointly implementing projects in the areas of e-Governance, ERP and Cloud solutions. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a contract for the co-development and co-production of the Long Range Dual Band Infra-Red Search and Track System (IRST) for the Su-30 MKI under the MAKE-II procedure of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 as a part of the Make in India initiative. On February 24, 2022, the Government of India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) inked a contract for the retro-modification of Commander Sight of Battle Tanks-T90 for the Indian Army. 977 tanks will be retrofitted. The contract is worth US$ 141.1 million (Rs. 1,075 crore) in total. |
2021 |
In August 2021, BEL signed a contract with the Indian Navy to supply first indigenous, comprehensive Naval Anti Drone System (NADS) with both hard kill and soft kill capabilities. In June 2021, BEL signed an agreement with the Indian Navy to build emerging technologies in the areas of quantum computing, artificial intelligence and robotics. In June 2021, BEL, in partnership with Fortum India, TVS Motor Company and JBM Renewables Pvt. Ltd., signed an agreement with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) to collectively carry out the expansion and adoption of the EV ecosystem. In June 2021, BEL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jammu Smart City Ltd (JSCL) to assist the model of a techno commercial proposal for design, development, execution, operations and maintenance of the Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC). In April 2021, BEL obtained 12 ‘Green Channel Certificates’ for 41 products manufactured at 10 SBUs/units. In February 2021, BEL signed an agreement with Larsen & Toubro Limited to further strengthen the alliance to boost domestic and export markets for defence products. In line with the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, in February 2021, BEL signed an MoU with Grene Robotics Pvt. Ltd. to build the ‘Autonomous Manpads Data Link System’ (AMDLS). |
2020 |
BEL’s shares gained 12% in two days in November after the management announced measures for double-digit growth, sustainable margins and better order inflow. The announcement also came with quarterly results, indicating strong performance by the company in the medium term. BEL is well placed to benefit from India’s defence indigenisation initiative. Of the 101 defence equipment items banned for import by the defence ministry, BEL has capabilities to produce 55 items. The company has submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) and 23 items are under the advanced stages of indigenisation. Signed an MoU with BHEL for cooperation on defence and non-defence products/systems to capitalise on emerging domestic and foreign market opportunities. To build Phase II of the coastal surveillance system or chain of static sensors established for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), a contract was signed with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. |
2019 |
BEL and Elettronica SpA (ELT), Italy, signed an MoU for joint development, commercialisation and production of new generation new surveillance systems. |
2018 |
Announced the launch of eight new products at Defexpo 2018 in Chennai. |
2016 |
Laid the foundation for the advanced night vision products factory at Nimmaluru Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. |
2014 |
Formed a Joint Venture Company (JVC) with Thales Air Systems SA France and Thales India in radar business area. |
2011 |
Inaugurated product support centre at Kalamassery in Kochi Kerala to provide waterfront support for the Southern Naval Command. |
2002 |
Became the first defence PSU to get operational ‘Mini Ratna Category I’ status. |
2000 |
The company's shares were listed in the National Stock Exchange. |
1992 |
Established the central research laboratory at Ghaziabad. |
1986 |
Set up the seventh unit at Kotdwara to manufacture switching equipment. |
1979 |
Established a third unit at Pune to manufacture image converter and image intensifier tubes. |
1974 |
Set up second unit at Ghaziabad to manufacture radars and ‘Tropo’ communication equipment. |
1971 |
Set up facilities to manufacture integrated circuits and hybrid micro circuits. |
1967 |
Started manufacturing transmitting tubes silicon devices and integrated circuits. |
1966 |
Set up a radar manufacturing facility for the Army and in-house R&D. |
1956 |
Started manufacturing communication equipment. |
1954 |
BEL was established at Bengaluru by the Government of India under the Ministry of Defence. |