Bharat Electronics

India: Bharat Electronics is involved in the development of the nuclear capable Akash missile for the Indian nuclear arsenal.

Company profile

Bharat Electronics, based in India, manufactures and supplies electronic products to defence services in India.[i] The Indian government has a 75.86% stake in the company.[ii]

In the financial year ending 31 March 2012, Bharat Electronics reported revenues of Rp 65.1 billion (€ 937 million), resulting in a net profit of Rp 8.5 billion (€ 122 million).[iii]

Nuclear weapons

Bharat Electronics is involved in the development of the Akash, a mid-range surface-to-air nuclear-capable missile system developed by India’s state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).[iv] The Indian Air Force approved the addition of the Akash missile system to its arsenal in 2010.[v] While Bharat Dynamics (another state-owned company) is the main manufacturer for the solid-fuel missile, Bharat Electronics is contracted for the radar system, and according to media reports for other electronic support systems.[vi]



[i][i]         Bloomberg Businessweek, “Bharat Electronics Ltd.”, Website Bloomberg Businessweek (investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=BHE:IN), viewed June 2013.

[ii]         Bharat Electronics, “Annual Report 2011/12”, Bharat Electronics, 30 July 2012 (www.bel-india.com/sites/default/files/AR_2011-12.pdf).

[iii]        Bharat Electronics, “Annual Report 2011/12”, Bharat Electronics, 30 July 2012 (www.bel-india.com/sites/default/files/AR_2011-12.pdf).

[iv]        Times of India, “Nuclear-capable Akash missile test fired”, Website Times of India, 13 December 2007 (articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-12-13/india/27973517_1_akash-missile-nuclear-capable-multi-target-missile).

[v]         Airforce Technology, “Indian Air Force Approves Akash Missile”, Website Airforce Technology, 1 February 2010 (www.airforce-technology.com/news/news75582.html/).

[vi]        Bharat Electronics, “Annual Report 2011/12”, Bharat Electronics, 30 July 2012 (www.bel-india.com/sites/default/files/AR_2011-12.pdf).
Army Technology, “Akash Surface-to-Air Missile System, India”, Website Army Technology (www.army-technology.com/projects/akashsurfacetoairmis/), viewed June 2013.