Dassault, Elbit to ring the BEL at Aero India | CMD Anil Kumar says focus on mature homegrown systems

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Guruvayoor (Kerala): Military technology major Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) is likely to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dassault, which recently won the contract for the delivery of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Rafale fighter jets for India. Sources tell Express that the proposed MoU, likely to be signed during Aero India 2013, will be different from BEL’s already-existing JV with Thales. The MoU will get propelled when India’s Ministry of Defence signs the Rafale deal officially with Dassault. The MoU will enable BEL get onboard Rafale for the integration of the synthetic aperture radars (SAR) and electronic warfare (EW) suits, among others.

During the show, BEL is also likely to sign a MoU with Elbit Systems Electro–Optics Elop Ltd, Israel, for the joint development of compact multi-purpose advance stabilization system (CoMPASS), for naval applications. Sources said that the Indian Navy has opted CoMPASS in tune with the modernization of its costal surveillance plans. BEL might get into a transfer of technology (ToT) pact with Elbit, to develop some critical airborne applications.

When contacted, BEL chairman and managing director Anil Kumar, however, didn’t want to get into the details of the MoUs. “At the show, we are focusing mainly on our strengths in Network Centric Warfare (NCW) activities. With several major defence purchases in the final phase of decision making, we expect global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their vendors to be on the look-out for Indian offset partners,” Anil Kumar said.

He said the show-stopper for BEL will be the homegrown SCA (Software Communication Architecture)-compliant Software Defined Radio (SDR), in various forms and to be used on different platforms by the Indian defence forces. “We will display cutting edge technologies developed indigenously for NCW systems like: computing elements in various form factors, right from wrist-wearable computers, hand-held computers and tablet PC to rugged laptop,” he said.

The BEL chief said that his company will be showcasing more mature homegrown defence technologies and solutions at the show. “We intend to showcase our strengths and present our preparedness to address the offset business to the prospective foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) during the show,” he said. At the show, technology pundits can get an upclose with BEL’s microwave power modules for radars, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based products for Sonars and microwave components for air-borne EW systems. BEL is also exhibiting portable low-level air defense radar and weapon locating radar.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

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BEL to showcase gen-next tech at Aero India

(Press Release | Unedited)

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) will showcase its R&D capabilities at Aero India 2013 by displaying its latest range of products and systems, developed in-house, at the 9th International Exhibition on Aerospace, Defence & Civil Aviation to be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru from February 6 to 10, 2013.
The main highlight of BEL’s display will be Network Centric Warfare (NCW) systems developed indigenously for the Indian defence forces. NCW solutions for the Navy will include Combat Management System, which automates tactical data from the ship’s sensors to provide decision support to the ship’s Command. BEL’s display will also include cutting-edge technology based C4I systems catering to all the 3 Services — like computing elements in various forms, right from wrist-wearable computers, hand-held computers and Tablet PC to rugged laptop; communication equipment such as Software Defined Radio with different variants, HF Radios, Stars V MK III, Militarized WiMAX besides encryptors such as Terminal End Secrecy Device (TESD), IP Encryptor and Bulk Encryptor.
Research and Development has been BEL’s core competency. The Company is laying increased thrust on development of new technology modules which will be on show at the exhibition such as Microwave Power Modules and TR Modules for use in radars, MEMs-based products for use in sonars, microwave components used in air-borne EW systems and simulator for Akash Missile System, Upgraded Indigenous Forward Observer Simulator, & simulator for Weapon locating Radar. The key elements for underwater solutions which will be on show will be HUMSA test bed with transducers and Expendable Decoys for ships and submarines.
BEL will highlight its contributions to the Electronic Warfare and Avionics segment with an impressive display of the Multi Sensor Warning System, Missile Approach Warning Systems, Convoy Jammers, Light Weight ESM System, Radar Finger Printing System and other cockpit modules for Light Combat Aircraft. Also on display will be the latest range of laser products, Laser Dazzler Gun, Laser-Based Communication LOS (Line of Sight), passive night vision products and NATO batteries.
The highlight of BEL’s outdoor display will be the entire range of sub-systems that constitute Integrated Akash Missile System, the indigenous guided missile air defence weapon system; Portable Low-Level Air Defense Radar, Weapon Locating Radar and EMP Shelter.