IMR: What is the share of Defence vertical in BEML’s overall revenue? Has it been increasing?
DKH: In BEML’s overall revenue share of Defence vertical is around 10% to 15%, which is an increasing trend during the current FY. It is expected to grow during the coming years.
IMR: In which way is aerospace expected to drive growth?
DKH: There is tremendous growth foreseen in the aviation sector in the present decade 2020-30. More airports are being added in tier II and tier III cities of the country. With rise in aircraft and allied equipment requirements both in civil and defence sectors, coupled with missile system and commercialization of satellites’ launching by ISRO promises very high potential in the aerospace sector. The growth would become multifold when we start exporting our products.
IMR: Is BEML collaborating with OFB for joint development of projects?
DKH: BEML has signed an umbrella MOU with OFB to jointly address the requirements of the Indian Defence and export markets. BEML is jointly developing unique projects with OFB such as FICV, MGS-Dhanush and MGS-AK 630. BEML has been a long-time supplier to OFB for critical Tank aggregates such as Transmissions, Ejector &Air cleaner, AHSU, Twin Top Roller etc.
IMR: What role has BEML played in the country’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Project?
DKH: BEML has been supplying upgraded chassis for integrated guided missile projects and further system upgrade will be taken up subsequently through DRDO.
IMR: How has BEML’s pact with L&T and other private partnerships increased value addition?
DKH: BEML has entered into a partnership with L&T to jointly explore and address requirements for defence products / systems both for domestic and export markets. Also, BEML has been working with L&T for supply of various bridging systems to the Indian Army.
BEML has also signed MOU with Bharat Forge for development of mounted gun systems on 4×4 platform and critical machined castings for recovery vehicles. An agreement with M/s. Wipro for Aerospace, Industrial automation, AI based products & hydraulic system engineering and similar pacts with Tata Power and Godrej will augment each other’s technological strengths in building latest products with increased value addition to the Indian Army.
IMR: With long experience in manufacturing all variants of the all-terrain high mobility vehicle for Defence Forces, how is BEML working towards indigenisation of the vehicle?
DKH: BEML manufactures state-of-the-art High Mobility Heavy Duty Trucks which have special features making them capable of operating under extreme conditions, which no other manufacturer has, for various applications including Recovery Vehicles, Bridge Systems and Missile Launchers. These trucks incorporate unique features like the backbone tube power-train and independent swing axles. These features enable these trucks to easily manoeuvre difficult terrains and at the same time guarantee minimum vibration levels that are imposed on the equipment that are part of the super structure. These features also ensure that the dynamic stress levels on the structures are low, thus ensuring reliability and long service life.
With over 80 percent indigenization currently in the major variant, BEML has been pushing for further indigenization of the high mobility trucks and has been building customized trucks for the Indian Defence Forces to meet specific and strategic requirements. Recently BEML developed in-house 6/16 Truck Mounted Crane.
