The Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) is planning to establish a Defence Systems Integration Complex in Andhra Pradesh. Foundation stone for the 360-hectre complex at Palasamudram in Anantapur district was laid late last year. This new missile systems integration complex for BEL will further strengthen the defence capabilities in the country and enable manufacturing, integration and testing of ongoing and upcoming projects in the area of surface-to-air missile systems.

BEL has taken various initiatives to enhance procurement from MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) towards achieving the goals of ‘Make in India’ policy. BEL has also identified MSMEs (technology partners) and will be working with them in collaborative R&D mode based on their capabilities and BEL’s requirements in future.

BEL’s unit at Machilipatnam, Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, has been sourcing items required for the manufacture of electro-optic products from MSMEs of Andhra Pradesh state. Further, some of the components, subsystems, mechanical parts required for setting up of the missile integration complex at Palasamudram will be sourced from private vendors/SMEs of Andhra Pradesh.