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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Company Background - Bharat Electronics


Bharat Electronics (BEL), the public sector giant, is one of the largest manufacturers of radars, wireless communications systems and other technical equipment for the defence forces in the country. Until recently, the company's performance was under strain due to the post-Pokhran nuclear blast sanctions by the United States. However, post Kargil, the government has realised the need to increase its focus on acquiring strategic technical equipment for defence forces which has dramatically changed the fortunes ofthe company. It was incorporated in 1954 at Bangalore as wholly owned by the Government of India, till disinvestment took place in 1991-92.

In 1989-90, the company diversified into consumer and entertainment electronics and telecommunications. In 1991-92, it entered into a joint venture with Delft Instruments, Holland, under the name BE-Delft Electronics to manufacture second generation image intensifier tubes at Pune and this joint venture company has become a subsidiary of the company with effect from 30th July 2002. Further the name of BE-Delft Electronics was changed to BEL Optronic Devices Ltd. The company is having two joint ventures, one with General Electric, USA, that is GE BEL (P) Ltd and another joint venture company is BEL Multitone Ltd which was jointly promoted with Multitone PLC., UK for marketing paging equipment. In addition to the Defence department, Department of Telecommunications, Doordarshan and Videsh Sanchar Nigam are the major clients of the company.

Many of the products like decoy radars, upgraded air defence weapon control radars, coastal surveillance systems, low power transmitters, telemedicine systems, PC motherboard-based chipsets, etc. have been inducted into service or are under final stages of evaluation by various customer groups.

In the year 2001-02 the company became the first Defence Public Sector Enterprise to acquire operational Mini Ratna Category-I status. The Company has also been awarded Satellite Network contract by Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation Limited. The main application is for consolidating the sales transactions on-line by 31 remote centres with APBCL HQ at Hyderabad. These projects are being executed under B-O-O-T model.

During 2004-05 the company has is implenmenting the Multi-purpose National Identity Card Project for the Registrar General of India, Ministry of Home Affairs. Further the company is also implementing the first phase of EDUSAT project, VSAT communication links from 14 hubs to 800 Satellite Interactive Terminals and 150 Receive only Terminals and Learning Management Software as the application package. Phase II of the poject with similar scope is likey to be taken up during 2005-06.

BEL has successfully developed and started manufacture of Set Top Boxes for Direct to Home reception under the brand name 'BEST Box' for Indian operating conditions. The company is under the progress of upgradation of Air Defence Guns for Indian Army. The company has commissioned a Multi-crystalline Solar Cells Plant at its Bangalore Unit. Ramping up of the production capacity to 10 MW is in progress. The company is also expanding the production capacity of Vacuum Interrupter Tubes from 35000 tubes per annum to 50000 tubes per annum.

The company has introduced new products during 2004-05, they are battlefield Surveillance System is an important component of Network Centric Warfare, improving combat effectiveness manifold, an upgradation programme of 3D Static Radars (THD 1955) to the Indian Air Force for long range air surveillance application during 1974-92 and programme is done jointly with M/s Thales, France, to extend their life by another 15 to 20 years. Further the company has developed Advanced Land Navigation System for the purpose of land navigation in Armoured Fighting Vehicles (Battle Tanks) such as T-72 Tanks, T-90 Tanks, BMP-II and AERV. Also the company has developed S-Band Mobile Satcom Terminal and Ellora, a Electronic Warfare System.