Younis Ahmad Kaloo

Chennai: Determined to make India a defence manufacturing hub and an exporter, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) participated in the DefExpo 2018 showcasing capabilities across every sector of its business, launched new products and strengthened relations with its Indian partners.

BEL’s Drone Guard System

The products displayed included radar and fire control systems, network centric systems, C4I systems, communication systems, missile systems, electronic warfare and avionics, anti-submarine warfare systems, naval systems, electro optics and laser systems, gun upgrades, tank electronics, home land security systems, technology modules, simulators, shelters and civilian products.

“Foreign delegations have shown keen interest in our products. As of now, BEL has nearly USD 100 million worth export orders. We are now looking at increasing our international presence and have got a big market to capture in coming years,” said CMD BEL M. V. Gowtama.

The missile system on display was Akash weapon system, which is one of the systems - BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and other military hardware and software - India is in talks with friendly nations for sale.

“We have been allowed to export to our friendly nations products such as Akash, which we are also offering to our own forces,” the CMD said at a press conference at the exhibition. Few days before DefExpo 2018, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman also talked about the export of the missile system at an event and said that the interest in Indian missile systems was growing and that her government was addressing it.

Pertinently, in January this year, Director General