Press Releases

Bengaluru, September 1, 2023: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s leading aerospace and defence company, have inked an MoU for co-operation in addressing India’s requirements in the domain of Short Range Air Defence Systems.

The MoU was signed by Mr K V Suresh Kumar, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Mr Avi Elisha, VP and General Manager, Missile Systems Division, IAI, in the presence of Mr Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, in Bengaluru yesterday.

The partnership marks yet another significant step towards cementing the synergy between the two companies which have a long history of association. BEL and IAI are engaged in several joint development / production / product support programmes for the Indian Defence forces.

The MoU aims at leveraging IAI and BEL’s capabilities, and is in sync with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ policies of the Government of India.

Mr Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, said: “BEL considers IAI, Israel, as a key strategic partner. This MoU is envisaged to boost the co-operation between the two companies in the field of Short Range Air Defence Systems. It will empower the Indian industry to make significant contributions towards equipping our forces with state-of-the-art Short Range Air Defence Systems.”

Mr Boaz Levy, IAI's President and CEO, said: “BEL and IAI have a successful partnership in the field of Air Defence in India. Together, we are providing the Indian Armed Forces with high-end Air Defence capabilities that meet their high-end operational requirements on one hand and ‘Make in India’ requirements on the other. Hence, it is only natural that we expand this cooperation to the Short Range Air Defence domain.”

About Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is one of the world’s leading aerospace and defence companies that delivers state-of-the-art technologies in space, air, land, naval, cyber and homeland security for defence and commercial markets. Combining the “Start-up Nation” spirit of innovation with decades of combat-proven experience, IAI provides customers with tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions including satellites, UAVs, missiles, loitering munitions, intelligence solutions, weapon systems, air defence systems, robotic systems, radars, business jets, aerostructures, and more. Established in 1953, IAI is one of Israel’s largest technology employers with offices and R&D centres in Israel and abroad.

About BEL

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) was established in 1954 under the Ministry of Defence, GoI, with a farsighted vision to make the country self-reliant in Defence electronics. Today, BEL is a multi-product, multi-technology, multi-Unit conglomerate which designs, manufactures and supplies state-of-the-art products and systems in a wide variety of fields including Radars, Missile Systems, Military Communications, Naval Systems, Electronic Warfare & Avionics, C4I Systems, Electro Optics, Tank Electronics & Gun/Weapon System Upgrades, and Electronic Fuzes in the Defence segment.

BEL’s non-Defence business segment includes areas such as Electronic Voting Machines, Homeland Security & Smart Cities, Satellite Integration & Space Electronics, Railways, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Software as a Service, Energy Storage Products, besides Composite Shelters & Masts. BEL is fast expanding its global presence, putting its best foot forward to give a thrust to exports worldwide. All-out efforts are being made to tap new markets across the globe, including the Indian Ocean Region and friendly foreign countries.

Photo caption: Mr K V Suresh Kumar, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Mr Avi Elisha, VP and General Manager, Missile Systems Division, IAI, display the MoU signed between BEL and IAI, in the presence of Mr Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, and other senior officers in Bengaluru yesterday.

Contact:

Sanjeev N. Deshpande, Sr. DGM, Corporate Communication, BEL, deshpandesn[at]bel[dot]co[dot]in

Dafna Slyper Ravitz, IAI, Tel. 052-3189797, daravitz[at]iai[dot]co[dot]il, www.iai.co.il