BEL and L&T forge strategic alliance for India’s 5th-generation fighter aircraft programme

New Delhi: Navratna defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have entered into a strategic partnership to support the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme of the Indian Air Force.

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The consortium plans to respond to the Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by the Aeronautical Development Agency, Government of India, in the coming weeks. The AMCA, India’s indigenous 5th-generation fighter jet, is a flagship programme aimed at enhancing the country’s air combat capabilities under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

The partnership will integrate L&T’s expertise in strategic defence and aerospace platforms with BEL’s proven capabilities in defence electronics and mission-critical systems. The companies said the collaboration seeks to deliver a state-of-the-art solution aligned with India’s modernisation goals.

BEL & L&T have previously contributed significantly to the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, with L&T supplying aero-structure modules and BEL developing avionics and electronic systems. Building on this experience, the consortium aims to provide advanced technologies and ensure timely delivery of the AMCA platform.

Commenting on the development, BEL's Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Manoj Jain added, “The AMCA project represents India’s growing capabilities in defence technology. With L&T’s engineering and systems integration expertise and BEL’s strength in defence electronics, we are confident of delivering a world-class solution that will serve the Indian Air Force for decades to come.”

Commenting on the development, L&T Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) SN Subrahmanyan said, “The collaboration with BEL marks a significant leap in our commitment to the modernisation of India's defence capabilities. Both organisations are leaders in our respective domains, and our combined efforts will play a crucial role in bolstering national security and advancing self-reliance in defence technologies.”

The AMCA programme is regarded as a critical step in strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem and reducing reliance on foreign technologies in advanced combat aircraft development.

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