Navratna defence public sector unit Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a major BEL Elbit Systems Export Agreement with Israel-based Elbit Systems Electro-Optics ELOP Ltd. Under the contract, BEL will manufacture and supply critical sub-assemblies for Directed IR Countermeasure (DIRCM) systems.
Rajnish Sharma, Director (Bengaluru Complex) at BEL, and Shai Cohen, Senior Vice President at Elbit Systems, formally signed the agreement in Bengaluru on September 16, 2026. Senior leadership from both defense companies attended the ceremony, including BEL Director (Marketing) Anoop Kumar Rai and Elbit DIRCM Systems Head Bnaya Ziv.
Advancing Airborne Protection via the BEL Elbit Systems Export Agreement
DIRCM systems—commonly called infrared jammers—provide crucial defense capabilities for military aircraft.
- Target Threat Mitigation: Uses precise laser technology to jam and neutralize heat-seeking, shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles (MANPADS).
- Operational Scope: Protects aircraft during high-vulnerability flight stages, including takeoff, low-altitude cruising, and landing.
- Manufacturing Scope: BEL will supply high-precision sub-assemblies to power Elbit’s global DIRCM integration pipeline.
This partnership expands BEL’s high-tech manufacturing capacity while supporting international airborne protection programs.
Strengthening Global Defense Partnerships and Export Capacity
This deal marks a major milestone for India’s defense export strategy. By partnering with global defense technology leaders like Elbit Systems, BEL continues to scale its international footprint.
The collaboration boosts BEL’s presence in global aerospace supply chains and accelerates India’s efforts to expand indigenous defense manufacturing for international markets.
Source: PSU Connect
