New Delhi, Nov. 27 -- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Ministry of Defence-owned Navratna electronics maker, remains a key supplier of critical systems to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Its technology is embedded in radars, communication grids, electronic warfare suites, and missile systems across India's military. The company has also built a presence in railways, civil aviation, and digital public infrastructure.
Growing from hardware to broader systems
BEL's original mandate was to build indigenous military electronics, radars, communication links, avionics, missile guidance, and electro-optic sensors. That foundation has gradually evolved into full systems engineering. The same expertise now supports metro signalling, railway automation, air traffic surveillance, homeland security operations, and e-governance platforms.
Sensors, seekers, and battlefield tech
BEL deepened work on RF and imaging infrared seekers used in guided munitions, upgraded electronic fuzes, and strengthened electronics for missiles and ammunition during the year ended March 2025.
Software and AI move to the forefront
A major shift within the company is the growing weight of software-led systems. The company is building tactical communication networks, cyber security platforms, and network-centric warfare tools to tie sensors, commanders, and frontline units into unified grids. Its software centres in Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam, Delhi, and an upcoming facility in Indore are developing AI/ML models, analytics engines, simulators, blockchain-based systems, and digital command platforms. BEL is also co-developing AI applications with the Army and Navy, exploring use cases in autonomous operations, decision support, predictive maintenance, and surveillance analytics.
Betting on quantum, 5G, and photonics
The long-term research roadmap signals a push toward emerging technologies such as high-power lasers, military-grade 5G/6G communication, cognitive radios, robotics, photonics-based electronic warfare, and quantum communication. The company is shifting radar and EW processing to server-based and photonic architectures to handle heavier data loads and complex signal environments. These efforts also aim to cut dependence on imported high-end components by developing core processing technologies in-house.
Manufacturing and supply-chain upgrades
BEL is modernising its manufacturing base with Industry 4.0 tools, online inspection, automated testing, predictive quality dashboards and hybrid QA systems, while a centralised supply-chain division tracks component risks, alternative sourcing options and supplier capabilities to support a large, tech-dependent vendor ecosystem.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from TechCircle.