BEL signs MoUs for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme with DRDO, Cisco
Bengaluru, February 21. Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has signed two MoUs with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO, and Cisco for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The MoUs were announced on the sidelines of the “Bandhan” event held at Aero India 2023.
The first MoU was signed with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO, for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme and the second with Cisco for long-term strategic co-operation in the areas of networking, collaboration and security, among other associated services.
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft is a 5th generation, multi-role, all-weather fighter aircraft designed with high survivability and stealth capability.
The first MoU with ADA aims at leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and ADA, wherein both the parties will co-operate for the design, development, qualification, production and supply of Internal Weapon Bay Computer and other LRUs for AMCA and provide lifetime product support to the Indian Air Force.
Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), designs, manufactures and supplies state-of-the-art products and systems in a wide variety of fields, including Radars, Missile Systems, Military Communications, Naval Systems, to name a few, in the defence segment.
At Aero India 2023, the biennial air show and aviation exhibition held at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, the Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco for long- term strategic co-operation in the areas of networking, collaboration and security, among other associated services.
The partnership aims at leveraging the strengths and capabilities of BEL and Ciscoto capitalise on opportunities emerging in the domains of network and security. BEL, by virtue of this MoU, is looking at elevating its relationship with Cisco — to that of a “Strategic Partner”.
The MoU with Cisco will give BEL access to Cisco technology, including enterprise networks, advanced wireless technology, security, data centre network, etc.
Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, Chairman & Managing Director, BEL, in a statement, said, “This strategic partnership will provide BEL access to Cisco technology, which includes enterprise networks, advanced wireless technology, security, data centre network, etc. It will also facilitate joint customisation and product lifecycle management for BEL’s various projects and enable the company to build state-of-the-art technology architecture for key industry verticals.” In addition, according to BEL, the partnership will leverage the strengths and capabilities of BEL and Cisco to capitalise on opportunities emerging in the domains of network and security.
As a part of the MoU, Cisco will explore establishing a Cisco Network Training Academy at the BEL Academy for Excellence (Nalanda), Bengaluru.
“India is on the fast-track to becoming a leading digital economy, but an ecosystem approach is key to mobilise progress at scale and speed. Our partnership with BEL is a significant step in our endeavour to accelerate innovation, infrastructure modernisation, and capability building across critical industry segments. We are confident that Cisco and BEL’s technology leadership and expertise combined will enable us to forge new possibilities and outcomes for our customers in India,” stated Daisy Chittilapilly, President, Cisco India & SAARC.
