BDL receives order for Akash Weapon System for two regiments of Army

New Delhi: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed a contract for Rs 8,161 crore with the Ministry of Defence for production and supply of Akash Weapon System to the Indian Army. The contract, which was signed on March 30 at New Delhi, is for two regiments of Indian Army. The order is to be executed in three years.

Further, BDL also received an order of Rs 261 crore for CMDS for MLH Helicopters.

The consolidated order book position of BDL has now reached a staggering figure of Rs 24,021 crore approx. with the signing of this new contract.

BDL’s Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd) stated that signing of the new contract will give a major boost to the Akash programme and both, BDL and its supply chain partners, are geared up to meet the production demands of the weapon system. In addition to the domestic market, the Akash Weapon System is also being offered for export to friendly foreign countries.

“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,” the Defence PSU said.

BDL has received several orders in the current year for supply of various systems which includes Astra MK-I Air to Air Missile (AAM) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. In addition to this, BDL has received order of Counter Measures Dispensing System.

“BDL has set up Warhead Manufacturing facility at its Bhanur Unit, Seeker manufacturing facility at its Kanchanbagh Unit which takes BDL to the coveted club of RF Seeker manufacturer and tester in the world. Very few countries can boast of the same. This is a major step towards BDL’s efforts towards realization of Atmanirbharta in line with the Government of India’s policy. Further, BDL is all poised to manufacture state- of- the-art VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System), Laser Beam Riding Munitions under ToT agreement with Thales UK under the ‘Make in India’ scheme. This will be short in the Arm for both, BDL and the Indian Armed forces,” it added.

During Defexpo - 2022 and Aero India - 2023 held during this financial year, BDL has unveiled new products like Vehicle mounted Amogha III Anti-Tank Guided Missile (Sangramika), Light Support Vehicle mounted Laser Beam Riding MANPAD (Sanharika) and ATGM for MBT ARJUN, Vertically Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL SRSAM), SAL Seeker ATGM for BMP II and Drone Delivered Missile (JISHNU).

The company has entered into MoU with several foreign OEMs which will usher new opportunities for growth and bring new technologies into the company. Some of the leading companies with whom BDL has signed MoU include MBDA, France for manufacturing of 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, Barij Dynamics LLC (AL TARIQ), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to identify and work on Potential Projects of Al Tariq for manufacture in India for India and the world, BULTEXPRO LTD, Bulgeria for 122 mm GRAD BM ER and NON ER rockets in India.

BDL entered into Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) with DRDO for manufacturing of Ceramic Radomes (GELCAST Process).

BDL received Green Channel certification from customer’s inspection authority for one of its programmes and is working on similar products across the company, in a phased manner.

The existing order position of the company, the demand for its products in the world market and the new technologies coming in, BDL is relentlessly pursuing to realize the vision of Atmanirbharta in Defence. The Company is pursuing for new opportunities of growth through export of its ‘Made in India’ products in the global market. BDL is poised to reach stellar heights and become a global leader in missile and weapon system manufacturing in the years to come.

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