'Make in India' in defence: HAL-BEL sign MoU for sharing expertise in avionics

BENGALURU: In a bid to build an indigenous defence avionics industry, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed an MoU on Thursday in Bengaluru, to share their expertise in design, development, engineering and manufacturing of advanced airborne communication equipment.

The agreement sets to define the roles and responsibilities of both the DPSUs for development of specific airborne communication equipment. Both organisations aim to pool their respective expertise in order to develop and produce avionics systems which have hitherto been imported by all branches of the armed forces.

HAL and BEL have agreed to share the business arising from the Indian defence services. "HAL has the expertise in design, development, engineering, manufacture of airborne communications equipment, whereas BEL has the expertise in design, development, engineering and manufacture of communications and secrecy products and solutions," the official statement said.

The MoU also has a provision for quarterly review, which will be held under the Chairmanship of Director (R&D)-BEL and Director (Engg, R&D)-HAL.