India Optel launches indigenous GARUD high-resolution binoculars for civilian market
New Delhi, August 13. India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Ratna Category-I defence public sector undertaking under the Department of Defence Production, has entered the civilian optics market with the launch of its indigenous GARUD high-resolution binoculars.
Developed and manufactured by the Ordnance Factory in Dehradun, a unit of IOL, the binoculars have been designed and produced domestically as part of the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative. The product draws on IOL’s long-standing expertise in precision optical manufacturing, which dates back to 1943.
GARUD incorporates defence-grade optical experience with contemporary technology and is designed to provide reliable performance for civilian and professional users. The binoculars offer 8x magnification and a 7.6-degree field of view, allowing users to observe distant objects while retaining a relatively broad viewing area.
The binoculars feature ±5 diopter adjustment to accommodate differences in users’ eyesight, along with soft-touch eyecups intended to provide greater comfort during prolonged use. An ergonomic grip and weather-resistant construction are designed to facilitate use in a range of outdoor conditions.
Weighing around 610 gm, GARUD combines portability with a compact design and is intended for applications including birdwatching, wildlife observation, nature exploration, travel, sporting events, forestry and marine activities. It can also be used for security-related applications.
The launch represents IOL’s first major entry into the civilian optics market, making technology and manufacturing capabilities developed for India’s defence and security forces available to a wider consumer base.
According to IOL, GARUD is based on a binocular platform that has been used by the armed forces and central armed police forces in demanding operational environments. The company said the civilian version carries forward the reliability and optical precision developed through decades of supplying equipment for national security requirements.
The product was formally launched by Joint Secretary (Land Systems) Garima Bhagat at DPSU Bhawan in New Delhi on August 13.
Senior officials from the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, central armed police forces and the Wildlife Society of India, besides members of IOL’s Board of Directors and senior company officials, attended the launch.
The move is part of a broader effort by defence public sector undertakings to leverage their indigenous technologies and manufacturing capabilities for civilian applications, potentially creating new markets for products originally developed for defence requirements.
