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Mr Dinesh Kumar Batra, Director (Finance) & CFO of Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), has received the “Public Sector CFO of the Year” (Individual Category) award at the 8th edition of the “National Awards For Leadership & Excellence in CFO”, held on July 7, 2022, at Mumbai.

Mr Dinesh Kumar Batra has been a change agent for BEL, facilitating sustainable growth by following best practices of corporate governance with financial transparency. His most noteworthy contributions to the Company include an increase in the wealth of shareholders, steering BEL to become the first Defence PSU to cross the landmark market capitalisation figure of Rs.60,000 Crores (from Rs.24,000 Crores at the time of his taking over as CFO) and declaring the highest ever dividend of 450%.

Under Mr Batra’s leadership, BEL achieved its highest ever turnover of Rs.15,044 Crores in FY 2022, a growth of 9% over the previous year, despite challenges posed by the pandemic, global semiconductor shortage and stiff competition. This has instilled confidence among stakeholders, resulting in the highest PE ratio of 23 of BEL’s share price among all manufacturing PSUs. He has guided BEL to the 79th position in the Top 100 Listed Companies of the country, based on market capitalisation.

Mr Batra has managed working capital requirement and new capital infrastructure investment requirement from internal accruals and kept BEL debt-free. He has brought structural reforms to manage debtors to achieve the highest ever cash flow from operations. He was instrumental in BEL taking revolutionary initiatives to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

As CFO, Mr Batra’s focus has been to ensure growth of 15 to 17% in topline. He has supported BEL’s diversification into several non-defence areas ensuring funds are available to invest in infrastructure, manpower and technology.

Mr Batra also regularly interacts with stakeholders and has evolved teams, structure and strategies for bringing business transformation.

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has achieved a Turnover of Rs. 3063.58 Cr, during the 1st quarter of FY 2022-23 against the Turnover of Rs. 1564.34 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Profit Before Tax (PBT) during the 1st quarter of FY 2022-23 stood at Rs. 578.10 Cr against the Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 15.17 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Profit After Tax (PAT) during the 1st quarter of FY 2022-23 stood at Rs. 431.49 Cr against the Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 11.15 Cr recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The order book position of the company as on 1st July, 2022 stood at Rs. 55333 Cr.

DRDO’s Rustom UAV program is an attempt to equip Indian Armed forces with Advance UAV technology which can not only perform ISR mission but can also take combat missions. This program has not been divided into two separate programs or products with lots of similarity between the platforms including LRUs and ground control stations. Line Replaceable Units (LRU) are modular components and usually sealed units of an aircraft, which are designed to be replaced within a short time without using very specialized tools. This means that the aircraft can quickly return to service, while the failed LRU is being tested and repaired.

The 1st spin-off of Rustom program is TAPAS-BH 201 and second one is Archer SRUAV. The same ground control station can operate both the UAVs.

Tapas BH-201 Development: Tapa is being developed for ISR missions but it by design supports the combat payload. A total of 76 Tapas drones will be inducted into the armed forces-the Army, 60; the Air Force, 12; and the Navy, four. HAL has been identified as the manufacturing firm for the first 5 Tapas which will be delivered by April next year in staggered manned. The flight control systems, avionics and data-linked systems for the first five Tapas drones are ready. As soon as the airframe is ready, these systems can be quickly assembled. Tapas has recently demonstrated flight altitude of 27,500ft and endurance of 18hrs. The UAV has proven the two critical technologies which are ATOL or Autonomous Take Off and Landing and the integration of the UAV’s flight system with indigenous GAGAN Satellite navigation.

Archer UAV is going to be a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class of UAV and is based on NAL’s Light Canard Research Aircraft (LCRA). It was designed to replace or supplement the IAI Heron UAV in service with the Indian Army. As we all know that the Rustom-I was a technology demonstrator. The Archer UAV is spin-off of the Rustom-I with upgraded avionics architecture. It is going to be short range weaponized UAV, equivalent of the Hermes 550 class UAVs. It will be used for precise tactical reconnaissance, hit ground targets including high-value targets and bunkers, guide artillery fire, and conduct patrol missions in sensitive areas such as border and conflict zones. The UAV will be able to fire 4 indigenously developed Helina ATGM which can hit a ground target 7-8kms away. It can also fire Laser guided rockets. There are plans to even integrate archer with air-to-air missile being developed for DRDO’s MANPAD.

Archer UAV development Update: The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has begun the development of an “Archer” medium range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) powered by a Turbojet engine. Last year, the specifications for the new UAV were revealed when the DRDO published an Expression of Interest (EOI) tender for four prototypes. The bid for the same has been received from 6 firms which includes: Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bharat Electronics Limited, Kineco Limited, HAL, L&T & Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd.

As reported by Defence Reach, BEL has turned out to be L1 bidder for the Manufacturing Assembly and Integration of Archer UAV.

The first Archer UAV will be available within a year of the contract being awarded, with three additional prototypes scheduled for testing and flight certifications. Tender anticipates a first manufacturing order of 20 Limited Series Production units. The first 4 Archer from this lot will be used for various tests including the test of airto-surface missile. These 20 units will be supplied to Indian Army and Air Force and if the armed forces are satisfied with the performance then 100 more units will be ordered.

Archer Capabilities: The Archer will have a weight of around 600 kg, payload of 200 kg and fuel capacity of around 150 kg. The UAV will have an endurance of 12 hours, service ceiling of 22,000ft and range of 220km with auto take-off and landing (ATOL) capabilities.

Bengaluru: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) today signed an MoU with Defense Initiatives (DI), Belarus, and Defense Initiatives Aero Pvt Ltd, India (a subsidiary of DI Belarus), in the august presence of Joint Secretary (DIP) and senior Indian Air Force officials.

The MoU is aimed at co-operation between the three companies for supply of Airborne Defense Suite (ADS) for the helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF). BEL will be the prime contractor and will be supported by DI with ToT (Manufacturing and Maintenance) for supply of advanced EW suite for helicopters under ‘Make in India’ category.

The MoU also aims at exploring various business opportunities for India and global markets for ADS. The partnership has evolved under the guidance of Mr Sanjay Jaju, Addl. Secretary, Department of Defence Production, and Indo Belarusian Joint Commission (IBJC) on Military Cooperation.

About BEL: BEL is a multi-product, multi-technology, multi-unit conglomerate offering products and systems in the areas of Military Communications, Radars, Missile Systems, Naval Systems, Electronic Warfare & Avionics, C4I Systems, Electro Optics, Tank Electronics & Gun / Weapon System Upgrades and Electronic Fuses in the Defence segment.

BEL’s non-defence business segment includes areas such as EVMs, Homeland Security & Smart Cities, Solar, Satellite Integration & Space Electronics, Railways, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Software as a Service, Energy Storage products and Composite Shelters & Masts.

About Defense Initiatives: Defense Initiatives was established with the aim of developing and implementing innovative, high technology and competitive technical solutions to meet the needs of companies and enterprises both in the Republic of Belarus and overseas. DI is involved in the design and manufacture of EW equipment for protection of aircraft.

Photo caption: Mr Manoj Kumar, Executive Director (National Marketing), BEL, and Mr Roman Komissarow, Deputy Director General, DI, display the MoU document signed between BEL, Defense Initiatives (DI) Belarus, and Defense Initiatives Aero Pvt Ltd, India. Also seen are Mr Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary (P&C), and other senior officers.

BENGALURU, June 9, 2022: Union Finance Minister, Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman, virtually inaugurated BEL’s Mini Smart Colony at BEL-Bangalore Complex, Jalahalli, Bangalore, today (June 9, 2022) in the august presence of Mr Dinesh Kumar Batra, Director (Finance) & CFO, and Mr Shrikant Walgad, IAS, Chief Vigilance Officer. The project has been completed under the guidance of Mrs Anandi Ramalingam, Chairman & Managing Director, and Mr Vinay Kumar Katyal, Director (Bangalore Complex). This is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav celebrations being co-ordinated by Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in association with the Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) as part of the overall campaign of the Ministry of Finance.

BEL’s Homeland Security & Smart cities SBU along with the Software SBU, Engineering Services and Human Resources teams worked jointly to make BEL’s Smart Colony a reality.

Solar power, waste recycling, rainwater harvesting, pedestrian friendly pathways, energy efficient street lighting and abundant greenery (including a herbal garden) are part of BEL’s Smart Colony. An app, BEST NISA (Bharat Electronics Smart Township – Nivasi Seva App), has been designed specially to cater to the needs of the Colony residents. Another app, BEST NISPA (Bharat Electronics Smart Township – Nivasi Samasya Parihaara App), has been developed for responders from Engineering Services Division. An Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), which is manned 24 x 7, monitors the dashboard displaying the real-time data and analytics along with situational awareness through GIS map.

BEL is executing 17 Smart Cities across India as part of the Smart City Mission of the Government of India.

BEL is participating in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Exhibition being organised at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, from June 9 to 12, 2022, as well as the Roundtable of CEOs of select PSEs on ‘Role of CPSEs in strategic sectors for a self-reliant India.’

BEL has planted more than 2,500 saplings across its 9 Units spread pan India.

Bengaluru, May 19, 2022: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) kick-started this year’s International Day of Yoga celebrations today morning with a ‘Desk Yoga’ session at the BEL Corporate Office, Bengaluru. The Yoga session, which was conducted by Yoga masters from the Art of Living Foundation, gave Corporate staff an insight into simple breathing and stretching exercises meant for de-stressing and rejuvenation during small Yoga breaks at workplace.

Today’s session will be followed by one more session on May 30, 2022, and a mega Yoga event on June 21, 2022.

Delhi Offices

Yoga related event was held in the Delhi offices on May 19, 2022, in the run-up to International Yoga Day (IDY).

Ghaziabad Unit

Various yoga related activities were undertaken on May 19, 2022.

Banners were displayed at prominent locations in BEL factory such as canteen and main gate. Banners were displayed at both the BEL Ghaziabad townships at Chander Nagar and Brij Vihar.

Bengaluru, April 28, 2022: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has contributed, under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), an amount of Rs 2.26 Crores to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund.

BEL has in the last two years contributed Rs. 15.45 Crores from its CSR Funds to PM CARES Fund, in support of the Government’s concerted efforts in dealing with the challenges arising out of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The employees of BEL had earlier contributed their one day’s salary amounting to Rs. 2.71 Crores to the PM CARES Fund.

About BEL: BEL is a multi-product, multi-technology, multi-unit conglomerate offering products and systems in the areas of Military Communications, Radars, Missile Systems, Naval Systems, Electronic Warfare & Avionics, C4I Systems, Electro Optics, Tank Electronics & Gun / Weapon System Upgrades and Electronic Fuses in the Defence segment. BEL’s non-defence business segment includes areas such as EVMs, Homeland Security & Smart Cities, Solar, Satellite Integration & Space Electronics, Railways, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Software as a Service, Energy Storage products and Composite Shelters & Masts.