Atmanirbhar Bharat: Tejas to have BEL’s tech muscle

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: In a major boost to homegrown production system, the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Thursday signed a contract with defence public sector Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the supply of 20 types of systems for its LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas Mk1A program.

The five-year contract from 2023 to 2028 is pegged at Rs 2,400 crore and involves supplying critical avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), flight control computers and night flying LRUs. Notably, this is the biggest order that HAL has ever placed with any Indian entity.

Asserting that the LCA Tejas programme exemplified synergies between defence establishments such as HAL, DRDO and BEL, HAL CMD R. Madhavan said, “LCA Tejas programme is an excellent example of synergies between Indian Defence establishments such as HAL, DRDO & BEL. The current order is a shot-in-the-arm for Make in India activity. HAL stands committed to indigenous products.”

“We are pleased to receive this order from HAL for the prestigious LCA Tejas program and look forward to continuing strong partnership and joint success with HAL,” said Ms Anandi Ramalingam, CMD, BEL.

The indigenous fighter aircraft will be equipped with a unique flight control computer and air data computer, which will also be supplied by BEL under this contract. These systems are designed and developed by various laboratories of the Aeronautical Development Agency of DRDO and Bengaluru.

According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India is now the second largest defence importer as per the data on international arms transfers after Saudi Arabia.

Last month, the Indian Air Force had placed an order for French-made HAMMER missiles to bolster the capabilities of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a medium-range air-to-ground missile.