Bengalur. Mr Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush & Minister of State for Defence, visited the Bangalore Unit of Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) yesterday (August 21, 2019).
Mr Vinay Kumar Katyal, Director (Bangalore Complex), gave a presentation about the Unit in the presence of Mr M V Gowtama, Chairman & Managing Director, and other Directors of BEL. CMDs of HAL, BEML and MIDHANI were also present. The presentation gave an overview of BEL and highlighted the performance of the Unit, its manufacturing facilities, major products, CSR initiatives and steps towards sustainable / green energy.
This was followed by a visit to some of the facilities of the Bangalore Unit. The Minister was shown the following facilities:
Super Components Manufacturing Facility
Super Components Division manufactures critical high technology electronic components and products. BEL indigenously designs and manufactures microwave modules / products which were earlier imported from countries like USA, UK and France. Microwave modules are used extensively in Radars, Electronic Warfare systems and Missile Electronics modules.
BEL has invested more than Rs.100 crores in establishing this facility. As part of this, around 14,000 sq.ft. of Class 10000 Clean Room facility has been established, which houses automated manufacturing infrastructure for precision assembly.
Solar Power Manufacturing Facility
BEL has a world-class mono crystalline solar cell manufacturing facility and solar panel manufacturing facility. Solar panels manufactured using these cells are then used to establish solar plants. BEL proposes to expand its manufacturing facility to 200 MW in the coming years.
BEL has established cumulative 75 MW Solar Power Plants for Ordnance Factory Board with a capital investment of about Rs.470 Crores and these are expected to generate a sales turnover of about Rs.50 Crores annually.
Military Radar outdoor facility and Near Field Antenna Test Facility
Schilka Upgrade (Gun & Fire Control System) and Weapon Locating Radarwere shown at the outdoor facility.The Minister also visited the Near Field Antenna Test Range, which is a measurement facility for calibrating and measuring the performance of any type of antenna.
Naval Systems – Coastal Surveillance System
The vast coastline of India is installed with Coastal Surveillance System supplied by BEL to the Coast Guard. Chain of Static Sensors installed over the coastline of India are networked to present common operating picture at the command and control centres. It has been installed at remote sensor stations on the mainland and on the islands as part of Phase I of the project. Real time operation of the system was shown to the Minister.
The Minister was happy with the performance of BEL-Bangalore and charged them to continue the good work.
