HAL Signs ₹ 2,400 Crore Contract With BEL For Tejas MK1A

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has awarded a contract to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for development and supply of 20 types of systems for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A programme.

The contract documents were handed over by General Manager HAL’s LCA Tejas Division, Mr. E P Jayadeva to Mr. Manoj Jain, General Manager (EW&A) BEL.

BEL-HAL’s Five Year Contract to Supply Critical Avionics Systems For Tejas Mk1A

HAL has assigned a five-year timeline to BEL for completion of this contract from 2023 to 2028 being valued at ₹ 2,400 crores. It involves supplying critical avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), flight control computers and night flying support systems.

A release from HAL also stated that this is the biggest ever order it has placed on any Indian company keeping the promotion of Indian indigenous product development in view.

Speaking on the occasion, HAL’s CMD Mr. R Madhavan said “LCA Tejas programme is an excellent example of synergies between Indian Defence establishments such as HAL, DRDO and BEL. The current order for development and supply of 20 types of critical avionics LRUs for Tejas Mk1A is a shot-in-the-arm for Make in India activity. HAL stands committed to indigenous products”.

BEL to Assign Two Divisions for Completion of HAL Contract

BEL, considering the importance of this contract which could be a milestone for the company in defence avionics, has assigned two of its complete divisions to this contract. The order for supply of these systems for 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter fleet will be executed by BEL Bengaluru and Panchkula (Haryana) divisions.

The systems being supplied by BEL have been designed and developed by various labs of DRDO and Aeronautical Development Agency, Bengaluru.

BEL said deliveries for 83 Tejas Mk1A systems order will commence from FY 2023-24 onwards. All the contracted items will be delivered by BEL to HAL in a ready to board condition, the statement said.

Expressing his views BEL CMD, Mr. Anandi Ramalingam said “We are pleased to receive this order from HAL for the prestigious LCA Tejas program and look forward to continuing strong partnership and joint success with HAL”.

Tejas Mk1A HAL Order from Ministry of Defence, GoI: Union Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier in January 2021 approved procurement of 73 LCA Tejas of Mk-1A variant and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1A trainer aircraft at the cost of Rs 45,696 crore along with design and development of infrastructure worth ₹ 1,202 crore. This was the biggest defence order given to any domestic firm by the Indian Government.