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.