Rajnath opens BEL missile integration Centre, flags off 3rd & 4th Akash regiments

BENGALURU: Defence minister Rajnath Singh Monday inaugurated a missile integration facility at defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru, and flagged off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.During the visit, Singh also remotely inaugurated BEL’s Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and formally launched the company’s AI Policy. He was briefed on a range of indigenous defence technologies, including AI-based solutions developed by Indian start-ups, underscoring the focus on innovation and indigenisation within the defence ecosystem.He reviewed BEL’s progress in electronic warfare systems, avionics, naval platforms, electro-optics and tank electronics, and said: “BEL has strengthened network-centric operations. Its integrated systems, real-time data sharing, and decision-support capabilities have taken our combat effectiveness to a new level.”Officials apprised him of ongoing R&D aligned with major national defence programmes such as the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile Systems (QRSAM), Light Combat Aircraft Mark II (LCA-Mk2), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Project Kusha (MR SAM/LR SAM), counter-drone systems and naval weapon control systems.The briefing highlighted that indigenous R&D is enhancing operational preparedness across land, air, naval and strategic domains, while reducing dependence on foreign technologies. Singh noted that systems developed for airspace defence and counter-drone operations have demonstrated that Indian solutions can meet global standards.He said indigenously developed air defence and anti-drone systems were effectively used to neutralise threats during Operation Sindoor. Advances in AI-driven threat prediction, early warning and response mechanisms, he added, have strengthened operational confidence among soldiers.Emphasising self-reliance, Singh said victories secured with indigenous weapons and technologies reinforce national confidence and strategic autonomy. He said AI and quantum computing are now integral to real-time decision-making, autonomous systems, cyber defence and precision operations, reshaping battlefield dynamics. He urged BEL, other defence PSUs and industry partners to remain ahead in emerging technological domains as India works towards becoming a developed nation, and called on BEL’s R&D teams to collaborate with start-ups, industry and academia for agile product development using AI and autonomous systems.Singh stressed the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration, innovation and rapid prototyping to deliver globally competitive products aligned with the vision of a Viksit Bharat.Indigenisation initiatives undertaken by BEL’s Central Research Laboratories, Centres of Excellence in Electronic Warfare and Photonics, Communication, Radar and Weapon Systems, and its Product Development and Innovation Centre were showcased. Start-ups and industry partners also displayed their products.Singh interacted with start-ups and young scientists, encouraging them to develop advanced indigenous technologies. Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) A Anbarasu, BEL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain and other officials were present.