Bengaluru, September 18, 2026: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Navratna defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has signed an export purchase order agreement with Israel-based Elbit Systems Electro-Optics ELOP Ltd for the production and supply of sub-assemblies for Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) systems.
The agreement was signed on September 16, 2026, in Bengaluru by Rajnish Sharma, Director (Bengaluru Complex), BEL, and Shai Cohen, Senior Vice President, Elbit Systems. Senior officials from both companies were also present, including Anoop Kumar Rai, Director (Marketing), BEL; Giriraja N, Executive Director (Electronic Warfare & Avionics), BEL; Srinivasa Rao H P, General Manager, International Marketing Division, BEL; and Bnaya Ziv, Head of DIRCM Systems, Elbit Systems ELOP.
BEL to Supply DIRCM Sub-Assemblies
Under the agreement, BEL will manufacture and supply DIRCM system sub-assemblies to Elbit Systems ELOP.
DIRCM is a laser-based infrared countermeasure system designed to protect aircraft against heat-seeking missiles, including man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS). The system uses directed laser energy to interfere with the infrared seeker of an incoming missile. BEL lists DIRCM among its electronic warfare and defence products.
The system is intended to provide protection to aerial platforms during flight phases including take-off, cruising and landing.
The new export agreement adds to BEL's existing cooperation with Elbit Systems and expands its role in the supply of specialised defence electronics for international customers.
BEL Secures Additional Orders Worth ₹648 Crore
Separately, BEL announced that it has secured additional orders worth ₹648 crore since its previous disclosure on August 26, 2026. BEL published the order announcement on September 18.
The new orders cover a range of defence electronics and related products and services. Major items include:
- Laser-based IR jammers
- Communication equipment
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Thermal imagers
- Transducers
- AI-based software solutions
- Transmit/Receive (TR) modules
- System upgrades
- Spares
- Related services
BEL has not disclosed a customer-wise or individual order-value breakup for these contracts.
The latest ₹648-crore order announcement follows BEL's earlier order disclosures during 2026, including ₹730 crore announced on August 26, ₹541 crore announced in August, and ₹847 crore announced on July 31.
BEL's latest order inflow includes technologies spanning electronic warfare, communications, thermal imaging, cybersecurity and software, alongside upgrades, spares and services. The company is a major Indian defence electronics manufacturer supplying systems and equipment to the country's armed forces while also developing export business.
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