By Invitation | Chairman and managing director, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bhanu Prakash Srivastava

Please tell us about your participation in Aero India this year.

BEL will showcase state-of-the-art products and systems spanning every domain of its business at the 14^th edition of Aero India 2023. The products and systems to be on display have been clustered as ‘Communication’, ‘Electro-Optics and Laser’, ‘EW and Avionics’, ‘Homeland Security & Smart Cities’, ‘Medical Electronics’, ‘Naval Systems’, ‘Network Centric Systems’, ‘Radar and Fire Control Systems’, ‘Tank Electronics and Gun Upgrade’, ‘Weapon System’, and ‘Outdoor Display Products’.

In addition, BEL will also showcase its R&D capabilities by launching/ demonstrating some of its new products and technologies. The company has set up an Experience Centre at its stall to showcase its Voice Analysis Software and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality for Universal Simulator.

The highlight of BEL’s outdoor display will be Weapon Locating Radar (mountain version), Akash Air Defence System, Ant-Radiation Decoy System, Surveillance Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar, Automatic Manpack SATCOM Terminal, Anti Drone System and Mobile Communication Terminal. The entire set of state-of-art equipment on offer will be a force multiplier for any Defence force and civilian requirements.

Can you brief us about BEL’s financial performance. What has been the impact of the pandemic on your growth?

BEL continues to be a profit-making PSU, despite challenges posed by the pandemic, global chip shortage and stiff competition. FY 2021-22 saw the company registering a record turnover of Rs 15,044 crores, a growth of nine per cent over the previous year. BEL became the first defence PSU to cross the landmark market capitalisation figure of Rs 80,000 crores and declare the highest ever dividend of 450 per cent. The company has increased its authorised capital three-fold to Rs 750 crore and issued bonus shares in the ratio 2:1.

This year, we are confident of continuing the good show and achieve a revenue growth of 15 per cent and EBIDTA margin of 21 per cent-23 per cent.

On this occasion, I would like to share with you the good news that the Ghaziabad Unit of BEL has won the twin honour of CII EXIM Bank Business Excellence Award (2022) and the Jury’s Commendation for Role Model Organisation. The Award is the highest level of recognition in the