Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India has entered into its 50th year of its service to the Nation.
Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), CMD, BDL, speaking to the Media, as a prelude to the year-long Golden Jubilee Celebrations being observed by the Company, stated that the Company rededicates itself to serve the defence forces with greater commitment and conviction.
The journey, since the inception of the Company, has been very exciting filled with lot of challenges and opportunities. The challenges could be met successfully with the whole-hearted dedication, cooperation and hard work of our employees, encouragement from our esteemed customers, support from our vendors, technological support from the DRDO and guidance from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
BDL was established on this day in the year 1970 to be the manufacturing base of the Guided Missiles and allied defence equipment to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
Prior to this, India was meeting this requirement by importing from other countries. Though even today, India continues to be one of the largest defence importers in the world, but percentage of import has reduced, as few of the defence equipment are being manufactured within India. It is in this context, I take pride in mentioning that BDL is the only Defence Public Sector in the Country to manufacture and supply Guided Missiles to the Indian Armed Forces.
In order to establish itself, BDL, in its formative years, entered into technical collaboration with friendly foreign OEMs to roll out the first series of Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, the SS11B1, to meet the immediate defence requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
The SS11B1 was the first missile manufactured on the Indian soil by BDL in early 70s. This missile was manufactured by BDL under technical collaboration from M/s Aerospatiale of France. This missile is not in the current product range, as missiles of next generation are being manufactured due to advancements in defence technology and modernization of the Armed Forces.
Later, BDL started the production of second generation MILAN Anti-Tank Guided Missile, which was under the technical collaboration with MBDA, France at its Kanchanbagh Unit, the first manufacturing Unit owned by the Company. Later, this was upgraded to MILAN – 2T which came with the tandem warhead in the year 2008.
The second manufacturing unit of BDL came up at Bhanur unit, near Patancheru in the present Telangana State into operation in the year 1989. BDL manufactured Konkurs under technical collaboration with Russia at Bhanur Unit. Konkurs has been modified to an upgraded version of Konkurs – M and is under production. Invar is another Anti-Tank Guided Missile being manufactured under technical collaboration with Russia at BDL, Bhanur Unit.
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, a brainchild of Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, launched by India during late 80s gave BDL a plenty of opportunities to develop its skilled manpower and invest in high-end technology areas to manufacture the five types of missiles contemplated under the IGMD Programme. BDL was nominated as the Prime Production Agency for these missiles. To commemorateDr Kalam’s vision, BDL, very soon, will be unveiling his statue near the front gate of our Kanchanbagh Unit.
BDL has manufactured and supplied the Prithvi Surface-to-Surface Missile to the Indian Armed Forces. Today, BDL manufactures the Akash Surface- to- Air Missiles, which was inducted into the Indian Army during May 2015.BDL is also manufacturing the seeker based multirole Air Defence Missile, the MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) which is being jointly developed by DRDO & IAI, Israel.The present orders will be progressively executed by 2023 – 24.
BDL has set up its third Manufacturing Unit, which is at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in the year 2013. The unit is exclusively for manufacture of Underwater weapons and Systems for the Indian Navy. Underwater weapons such as the Light Weight Torpedoes, the Heavy Weight Torpedo or the Varunastra, C-303 Anti-Torpedo Decoy System are being manufactured at BDL, Visakhapatnam Unit.
BDL became a listed Company by making its debut in Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange on 23rd March, 2018.
As BDL enters into 50th year of its Service to the Nation today, the Company rededicates itself to serve the defence forces with greater commitment and conviction.
In the years to come, BDL will be primarily focussing in the following areas:
- Optimization of existing production lines
- Maximizing the geostrategic reach by increasing the export and indigenization.
- Co-development with design agencies for new projects.
- Offset projects
- Upgradation through innovation of its products.
Presently, BDL is engaged in Co-Development Programmes of DRDO. These include QR SAM, Akash 1S, Akash NG, MPATGM, ASTRA and Sonobuoys.
BDL is entering into new domains and is in the process of developing infrastructure for manufacture of seekers.
BDL is also under discussions with various OEMs to get new technologies like the MoU with M/s Thales, UK for STARSTREAK Missiles.
The Companyis currently manufacturing Anti-Tank Guided Missiles viz., MILAN – 2T, Konkurs – M, Invar, Surface-to-Air Missile like Akash& MRSAMUnderwater Weapons like Light Weight Torpedo (TAL), the Heavy Weight Torpedo (Varunastra), C – 303 and Counter Measures Dispensing Systems for various aircraft platforms of the Indian AirForce. etc.
The Company operates from three manufacturing units, of which,two are located in Telangana viz., Hyderabad and Bhanur and one in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.In addition,BDL has created an exclusive facility for production and testing of SAMs at Ibrahimpatnam, which has a static test facility of one of its kind used for the purpose of testing all kinds of Rocket Motors. Also, BDL has acquired land for manufacture of VSHORADs at Amravati in Maharashtra.
BDL became a listed Company by making its debut in Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange on 23rd March, 2018.
The Company has also forayed into the international market by offering its products to friendly foreign countries.
Commodore Mishra attributed the success of the Company to the whole-hearted dedication, cooperation and hard work of its employees, encouragement received from its esteemed customers, support from vendors, Technology Development and hand holding from DRDO, guidance from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the wholehearted support received from the Media over the years.
Director (Finance), Shri S. Piramanayagam, Director (Technical), Shri NP Diwakar, Director (Production), Shri P. Radhakrishna were present along with General Managers of the Company. General Manager (HR) welcomed the gathering and Shri Shivanand S. Khanapet, General Manager (Bhanur Unit) delivered the vote of thanks.
Earlier during the day, a pledge was administered to employees in all units of the Company on the occasion of Golden Jubilee Year Celebrations.
