Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, for the production and supply of the Akash Weapon System to the Indian Army worth Rs 8161 crore. The contract, which was signed in New Delhi, is for two Indian Army regiments. The order must be carried out within three years. In addition, BDL received a Rs 261 Crore order for CMDS for MLH Helicopters. With the signing of this new contract, BDL’s consolidated order book position has now reached a staggering figure of approximately Rs 24,021 crore.
Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, BDL, stated that the signing of the new contract will give a significant boost to the Akash programme, and that both BDL and its supply chain partners are prepared to meet the Weapon System’s production demands. The Akash Weapon System is being offered for export to friendly foreign countries in addition to the domestic market. The financial year, 2022-23, has been an eventful year for the Company with new orders received from domestic and international market, setting up of State-of-the-Art manufacturing facilities, unveiling of new products for the armed forces, signing of MoUs with foreign and Indian Companies which have opened up new business opportunities for BDL.
In the current fiscal year, BDL has received several orders for the supply of various systems, including the Astra MK-I Air to Air Missile (AAM) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. Furthermore, BDL has received an order for a Counter Measures Dispensing System.
BDL has established a Warhead Manufacturing Facility at its Bhanur Unit and a Seeker Manufacturing Facility at its Kanchanbagh Unit, elevating BDL to the prestigious club of RF Seeker manufacturer and tester in the world. Few countries can make the same claim. This is a significant step forward in BDL’s efforts to realise Atmanirbharta in accordance with Government of India policy. Furthermore, under a TOT agreement with Thales UK under the Make in India scheme, BDL is all set to manufacture cutting-edge VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System) and Laser Beam Riding Munitions. Both the BDL and the Indian Armed Forces will suffer as a result of this.
The Company has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with several foreign OEMs, which will open up new growth opportunities and introduce new technologies to the Company. MBDA, France for manufacturing Mistral Missiles at BDL, Dassault Aviation Pvt Ltd for Integration of Weapon Systems like Astra & SAAW on Rafale Aircraft, Thales Belgium for setting up manufacturing facilities for Laser Guided Rocket and its major components in India, and Barij Dynamics LLC (“AL TARIQ”), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to identify and work on Potential Projects of Al Tariq for manufacture.
BDL and DRDO signed a Licensing Agreement for Technology Transfer (LAToT) for the production of Ceramic Radomes (GELCAST Process). BDL received Green Channel certification from the customer’s inspection authority for one of its programmes and is working in phases on similar products across the company.