IMR. What is happening about setting up an aerospace commission, which was recommended years ago. Is it not doable? Does the IAF support the concept to bring in synergy in use of all aerospace resources like Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the case of space.

CAS.       Outer space has been recognized as a strategic domain with likelihood of future battles being fought in an integrated manner with increased utilization of space assets. To this end, the Defence Space Agency (DSA) has been formed to bring about the required synergy for operational control of all space resources in achieving our national military objectives. We fully support this concept. The DSA itself is an interim arrangement and we shall see its evolution to an Aerospace Command in times to come. As regards an Aerospace Commission, we have given our recommendations in the matter and support this evolution.

IMR. In view of the existential Chinese threat how do you intend to make up deficiencies in aircraft, armament and essential resources in the short and long term?

CAS.       The Chinese threat is not existential. While we continue to evaluate our current and future threat scenario as part of our planning process, we are taking suitable measures in terms of threat perceptions with respect to China for acquisition of platforms, weapons and capabilities in order to meet our capability requirement.  We have planned for induction of indigenous fighters such as the remaining LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Mk1 and the LCA Mk1A.  Further, we fully support the LCA Mk2 and AMCA (Advanced Multi-role Combat Aircraft) programmes. The remaining Rafales will also join the IAF by 2022.  Additional Su-30 and MiG-29 fighters are also in the pipeline.  Additional force multipliers such as AEW (Airborne Early Warning) Systems and FRA (Flight Refuelling Aircraft) aircraft are also under consideration.

IMR. The Light Combat Helicopter remains under development. When can we expect the IAF to be equipped with it? What is causing delays?

CAS. The RFP (Request for Proposals) for the helicopter for both IAF and IA (Indian Army) was issued in December 2017. The IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) for the LCH LSP (Limited Series Production) has been accorded and the cost has already been finalised by the cost committee. The contract is likely to be signed in this calendar year and we expect the induction to commence a year or so thereafter.

IMR. Would the IAF not like to be involved in the development of the LCA Mk 2 like the India Navy gets involved in its projects through design bureaus and leading the manufacturing effort. Can we improve HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) performance in the regards with more involvement of private companies or a consortium.

CAS. The IAF has been fully involved in the development of LCA through our team in flight test centre and project management at ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency). The Tejas variants and AMCA are indigenous fighters, which will form the core of our fighter fleet in the decades ahead. We are also deeply committed to the HTT-40 and the LCH programmes. The IAF is heavily invested in these projects. We have teams of test pilots, flight test engineers, programme managers and logisticians deeply embedded at all levels in the design and manufacturing complexes at DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation), HAL, ADA and other stakeholders.

In keeping with the requirements of an Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector, we see a major opportunity for the private sector. We feel our requirements could be met faster and more efficiently with a mix of public and private sector partnership, both in design and development and manufacturing.

IMR. We made a fatal mistake when we declined an offer by Rolls Royce for the co-development of an aeroengine for HF-24. We repeated the same when Safran offered co-development of Kaveri engine as part of offsets of Rafale project. How do we move forward to get aeroengines technology?

CAS. For the AMCA programme to succeed, the design and development of an indigenous aero engine is a pre-requisite. The technology is niche and the process complex and expensive. This can happen with experience gained from the Kaveri programme and a collaboration of aero engine houses, academia, industry and defence PSUs. DRDO is considering various options with international design houses including Safran for co-development of an engine for AMCA and beyond.

IMR. NDA cadets have moved from gliders to microlight. Systems are getting more complex but more automation, AI, robotics and simulators, can compress time frame of training and improve degree of difficulty for better proficiency. What changes have taken place in training philosophy of the IAF?

CAS. The training philosophy of the IAF has been adapted to keep pace with developments in the strategic space of operations. We have modified our basic training stage, which will see pilot trainees graduating with a B.Tech degree. To promote jointness in operations, ground duty and technical branch officers will also now be inducted through NDA (National Defence Academy), expanding the inter-Services interaction across branches. Use of simulators for ground training such as for mechanical transport operators, e-training format for air warriors and more officers being sent for post-graduate courses to remain abreast of technological developments are some of the steps taken in this direction. Simulators have also become an integral part of our flying training right from the basic stage in the Pilatus PC-7 to frontline fighters such as the Su-30 MKI and the Rafale.

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BEL’s display in the area of Radar will include products/models/panels of Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar, Radar for Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile, Radars for automatic detection of first-round location of artillery weapons (Weapon Locating Radar) and Border surveillance and Detection of low flying targets (like Battlefield Surveillance Radar and Air Defence Fire Control Radar – Atulya).

BEL’s display in the area of Military Communication will include products such as Software Defined Radios, Single Box Communication Solution, Secure Versatile IP Terminal, Cyber Security products/services, Encryptors, High Capacity Radio Relay, Data Diode used to create a physically secure one-way communication channel from one network to another, SDR VPX with NCW Applications, Configurable Live Mk II, etc.

Electronic Warfare and avionic products on display will include Tethered UAV, EW Suite for Airborne Application, Quadcopter UAV, Drone Guard System, Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure (DIRCM), Combined Interrogator and Transponder (CIT), CLIFF, EOS CoMPASS, etc.

Also on display will be the complete range of Electro Optics, such as Holographic Sight, TI Sights, Image Intensifier based Passive Night Sight, Target Acquisition System, Day Night Sights for Tanks, LRF Modules, Pan & Tilt – Electro Optical Director for long range surveillance applications like coastal surveillance, border surveillance, etc.

BEL will showcase its Naval Systems capability through Dipping Sonar, Airborne Sonar, Ship Communication Systems and Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile system.

Components/Technology modules on display will include TR modules (X band and C band Quad) for Radar application, Smart cards, MPM/ TWT Transmitter, Low Band receiver Modules, LTCC substrates/ MMR Chips, Solar Products, Electric Batteries for two/ three Wheelers, Electronic Fuses for Artillery, etc.

Other Innovative solutions and Artificial Intelligence systems on display will be Face Recognition System, Social Network Analysis, Software based Record and Replay System, Video Management System, Ytterbium Fibre Laser, Power Amplifier for sonar application, LTE- Secure Mobile, Machine Intelligence & Robotic Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Radar Pulse De Interleaver, Digital Pre-distortion for Linearization of Power Amplifier, Electronics Target Systems, Decision Support Systems for Coastal Surveillance System, Imagery Solution, Automatic Train Supervisory System, Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System, Speech to Text Technology, Smart City Solutions, Space-based products, etc.

The highlight of BEL’s outdoor display will be the Weapon Locating Radar – Mountain Version, Ku Band SATCOM – vehicle based; X-PAR Compact version, High Altitude Shelters, Missile Containers, Indigenous Fire Control System, Advanced Landing Ground Communication Terminal (ALG-CT) and Air Defence Tactical Control Radar (ADTCR). The entire set of state-of-art equipment on offer will be a force multiplier for any Defence force.

Q. How do you plan to increase BEL’s exports?

AR. The Government is encouraging defence exports through many policy initiatives and has set a target of Rs.35,000 crs by 2024-25. BEL has identified Exports and Offsets as one of its thrust areas and has drawn up plans to offer its select products and systems to various export markets.

BEL is giving increased thrust to harnessing the export potential of its products and systems including Homeland Security solutions, Border Protection systems and state-of-the-art systems and solutions which represent its core areas of business. Having established a Coastal Surveillance System (CSS) for a few neighbouring countries, BEL is interacting with Ministry of External Affairs for supply of CSS to other friendly countries. BEL is also exploring civil markets for Smart Cities, Solar Power Generation, etc, in developing and third world countries.

BEL is focusing on addressing Offset obligations in various RFPs of the MoD, on account of the Offset policy incorporated in the Defence Procurement Procedure. BEL has identified contract manufacturing (build to print and build to spec) for foreign OEMs and partnerships in the form of Transfer of Technology of the latest systems and solutions as areas of emerging export opportunities. Efforts are also on to establish long term supply chain relationship with global players.

In a bid to develop new markets in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), BEL has operationalised overseas marketing offices in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Oman and Myanmar. BEL has also expanded its Singapore and New York Regional Offices to handle marketing activities. BEL plans to work closely with Companies in other countries to increase the geo-spatial presence.

Q. What are the main products that you export and to which all countries?

AR. BEL has been exporting products such as Communication Systems, Coastal Surveillance System, Missile Systems, Radars, Electronic Warfare Systems, Electro Optic Systems and Electro Optic Fire Control Systems, Radar Finger Printing System, Naval Systems, Radar Warning Receivers, Electronic Voting Machines and various other equipment to USA, UK, Russia, Italy, Brazil, Germany, France, Israel, Indonesia, Honduras, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa and many other friendly countries.

In 2018-19, BEL sold products and systems worth USD 21.6 million and has an export order book of USD 158 Million as on September 30, 2019.

Q. Can you tell us about your diversification initiatives? 

AR. The Defence segment continues to be BEL’s main business domain covering about 85% of its revenues. However, BEL is continuously exploring diversification opportunities in Defence and allied non-defence areas for enhanced growth, leveraging its strengths and capabilities acquired in the defence electronics domain.

Segments like Radars and Weapon Systems, Communication and Network Centric Systems, Tank Electronics, Gun Upgrades, Electro Optic Systems and Electronic Warfare & Avionics Systems will continue to drive the Company’s growth in the coming years. As part of its diversification strategy, BEL is also continuously exploring opportunities in Defence and allied non-Defence sectors by offering spin-off technology products. 

Some of the areas BEL has already diversified into are Homeland Security and Smart City, Electronic Ammunition Fuzes, Composites, Energy Storage Systems, RF Seekers, Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seekers, Real Time Information System for Railways, Automatic Fare Collection Gating System for Metro rail, Intelligent Traffic Management System, Satellite Integration, Cyber Security, Unmanned Systems, Composites and Solar Power Plants.

Other areas of focus include Next Generation Indigenous Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System, Airborne Radars, Thermal Imager Detectors for Night Vision Devices, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), Direct Energy Weapons (DEW), Helmet Mounted Display Systems (HDMS), Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure (DIRCM), IT & Cloud Services, Ring Laser Gyro, Explosives, Propellants, Smart Bombs etc, in the Defence segment, and Space Grade Solar Cells, and Air Traffic Control Radars in the non-defence segment. 

BEL has signed an MoU with Tamil Nadu Industrial Explosives Limited (TEL), a state-government undertaking of the Government of Tamil Nadu, for co-operation in the explosives segment where BEL is eyeing business growth, keeping in view of its ongoing and upcoming ammunition programmes. BEL is investing for the upgradation of existing facilities and addition of new facilities, as well as setting up of a world-class centre of excellence for ammunition related technologies for both Defence and Space requirements. The strategic partnership with TEL will also boost BEL’s business opportunities in the explosives segment.

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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.

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