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What is the full form of BEL?
Introduction
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is a producer of various goods including defense and non-defense for the Indian military and other government agencies in India. Its headquarter is located in Bangalore. This public sector enterprise exports its goods to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In India, Bangalore and Karnataka serve as the home base for BEL. Through this article, we will discuss in brief the history, products, and challenges of BEL.
History of BEL
The Government of India under its Ministry of Defense established Bharat Electronics Limited in Bangalore in 1954. The company began with the production of communication equipment in smaller quantities and later produced ‘receiving valves’, ‘germanium semiconductors’, and ‘radio transmitters’ for All India Radio (AIR) in 1961, 1962, and 1964, respectively. BEL also founded a ‘radar manufacturing facility’ for the Indian Army and internal ‘Research and Development’ in 1966. In the next year, BEL started producing ‘transmitting tubes’, ‘silicon devices’, and ‘integrated circuits’. In 1968, a PCB manufacturing factory was founded.
The production of X-ray, microwave and black-and-white TV picture tubes began in 1970. Facilities for the production of hybrid microcircuits and integrated circuits were developed the next year. BEL began producing TV transmitters for Doordarshan in 1972. In accordance with the government's decentralization policy, the company's second division was established in 1974 in Ghaziabad to produce ‘radars’ and ‘tropo communication’ gear to support the Indian Air Force. At Pune, the third plant was founded in 1979 with the purpose of producing image converters and image intensifier tubes.
To expand its resources and increase its manufacturing process BEL opened its first foreign office in 1980 in New York City. In 1981, the Pune unit established a ‘magnesium manganese dioxide battery’ production. To support the satellite program, the ‘Space Electronic Division’ was created in 1972 in Bangalore. The fourth production facility of BEL at Machilipatnam was taken over by BEL in 1983 by the Andhra Scientific Corporation (ASCO). The fifth unit was built in 1985 in Chennai. That year itself, a sixth plant was built in Panchkula to manufacture military communications hardware. BEL also produced ‘Low Power TV Transmitters’ and ‘TVROs’ in considerable quantities for extending Doordarshan's media coverage in 1985 as well.
The company saw the construction of its seventh plant, the eighth unit at Taloja located in Navi Mumbai, and its ninth unit in Hyderabad. To put a stronger emphasis on naval projects, a separate division for naval resources was created in 1987 at Bangalore. With the aim to advance cutting-edge R& D, a central research facility was founded in Bangalore for the first time in 1988. The next year witnessed the production of 75,000 electronic voting machines and the construction of Telecom Switching and Transmission Systems.
In 1992, the establishment of another central research laboratory took place in Ghaziabad. In the same year, the company underwent its first 20% disinvestment and got its shares listed on the Bangalore and Mumbai Stock Exchanges. In 1993–1994, BEL units received ISO 9000 certification. In 1994, there was a second disinvestment of 4.14%. BEL generated a revenue of Rs 1,000 crore in 1996.
Products of BEL
Communications products required for the defense sector of India, ‘land-based radars’, ‘naval systems’, ‘electronic warfare systems, ‘avionics’, ‘electro-optics’, ‘weapon systems, ‘C4ISR systems, ‘shelters and masts’, ‘simulators’ and ‘batteries’, are just a few of the company's products among others. Precision fabrication and machining, Opto electronic parts and assemblies, ‘microwave integrated circuit assemblies’, antenna manufacture, cable assembly and ‘wiring’ harness production, super component modules, assembly, and testing are further services provided by the BEL.
Future Outlooks and Challenges
BEL’s defense accounts for 78% of revenue, with non-defense making up 14%, other products 5%, and exports 3%. Government orders provide more than 90% of the company income. Global chip shortages and the Covid-19 epidemic both had an influence on revenue growth. Geopolitical unrest and supply chain problems had an influence on exports in FY2022, delaying the departure of some consignments.
The company wants to expand its roster of original equipment manufacturers as a worldwide supply chain partner in order to strengthen its manufacturing portfolio (OEMs). In order to target international markets, it is forming a strategic collaboration with Indian platform makers and with overseas OEMs. All non-core activities are outsourced to Indian firms, especially MSMEs, in order for BEL to concentrate on key areas and R& D and retain IP.
Conclusion
BEL has developed through time into a ‘multiple-product', ‘multiple-technology’, and ‘multiple-unit business’ that meets the demands of a variety of industries in both India and overseas. BEL is one of the ‘elite’ organizations of the public sector to which the Indian government has granted the status of ‘Navratna’. The company's expansion and diversification over time reflect its advancements in electronics technology.
FAQs
Q1. Which is the second overseas branch of BEL?
Ans: With the aim of receiving materials and resources from SouthEast Asia, BEL opened a branch in Singapore. This branch opened in 1998 is the second overseas branch of BEL.
Q2. Which unit of BEL is recognized in Strategic Business Units?
Ans: The Bangalore operation, which became very large, was reorganized into ‘Strategic Business Units’ in the year 2000. (SBUs). The Bangalore unit is made up of seven SBUs.
Q3. What were the three achievements of BEL from 2000?
Ans: In 2000 BEL's shares were listed under the National Stock Exchange. BEL became the first PSU in the defense sector to receive operational ‘Mini Ratna Category I’ status in 2002. BEL reported a revenue of Rs. 4624 crores in 2008-2009.
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