New Delhi/Pune: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its second assembly line for Electronic Fuzes for artillery ammunition at its Pune Unit. The expansion is aimed at bolstering indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, which are in line with the government's ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
The new assembly line has been inaugurated by Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla (PVSM, UYSM, YSM, SM, VSM), Master General Sustenance (MGS) of Indian Army, in the presence of Manoj Jain, CMD of BEL, and other distinguished dignitaries.
BEL-Pune has been at the forefront of advancing indigenous Defence manufacturing and has taken proactive measures to meet the growing demand for Electronic Fuzes. This strategic move comes in response to a Long-Term Make-in-India (LT-MII) contract worth Rs 4,522 crore (excluding taxes) signed in December 2023 for the supply of 50 lakh Electronic Fuzes to the Indian Army over the next 10 years. The additional assembly line will enhance BEL's capacity to meet this demand while ensuring high standards of quality and technology.
In a significant boost to its indigenisation efforts, BEL signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with its long-term technology partner Reshef Technologies, Israel, on February 10, at Aero India. This partnership is pivotal for the seamless execution of the LT-MII Contract and ensuring 100 percent indigenisation of critical technologies, a mandatory requirement of the contract. The collaboration, combined with the new assembly line, will strengthen BEL’s capability to manufacture Electronic Fuzes indigenously at the required capacity.
Currently, BEL manufactures and supplies three types of Electronic Fuzes — Point Detonating, Time, and Proximity — for three types of Artillery Guns (105mm, 130mm, and 155mm), in technical collaboration with Reshef Technologies. These fuzes are crucial for safety during handling, storage, transportation, and for precise detonation of warheads.
Additionally, BEL is actively developing Naval and Aerial Fuzes under Make type projects, which are at an advanced stage of development and are expected to be offered for user evaluation soon.
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