BDL Scores Big As Army Places Additional Orders Worth Rs 2,462 Crore For ATGM, Surface-To-Air Missiles
Defence PSU BDL has secured additional orders worth Rs 2,462 crore from the Indian Army. Image courtesy: Bharat Dynamics
In a major endorsement of India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat programmes, leader defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) has secured fresh orders worth Rs 2,462 crore from the Indian Army. While details remain classified due to national security considerations, the order marks another substantial step in India’s effort to strengthen indigenous missile production and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
“Majors orders received include ATGMs and SAM (Emergency Procurement),” Bharat Dynamics said adding that the ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) component of the order will be executed over 42 months, while the SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) requirements are scheduled for completion within 12 months.
Bharat Dynamics order: An ‘Aatmanirbhar’ win
This latest contract follows a major deal signed just last month, when the Ministry of Defence placed a Rs 2,095.70 crore order with BDL for INVAR Anti-Tank Missiles, under the Buy (Indian) category. The agreement was inked at South Block in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The procurement of the INVAR Anti-tank Missiles enhances the firepower and lethality of Tank T-90, the mainstay of Armoured Regiments of the Indian Army. The weapon system is a sophisticated laser-guided anti-tank missile with very high hit probability.
The laser-guided weapon, known for its high hit probability, is expected to reshape the dynamics of mechanised warfare and deliver a decisive operational edge against adversaries. According to the ministry, the acquisition “underscores the Government’s efforts to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army by leveraging the existing expertise of Defence Public Sector Undertakings”.
How does this strengthen India’s path to defence Aatmanirbharta?
With BDL now executing back-to-back strategic orders, the company’s growing portfolio reflects the government’s broader push for indigenisation, including the development and manufacturing of cutting-edge missile technologies within the country. The latest contracts reaffirm BDL’s position as a central pillar in India’s defence industrial ecosystem.
The country’s defence budget, which stood at Rs 2,53,346 crore in 2013-14, has seen a significant rise, reaching Rs 6,81,210 crore in 2025-26, reflecting a clear commitment to strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities.
Moreover, India recorded its highest-ever defence production of Rs 1.54 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. India now exports to over 100 nations, including to United States, France and Armenia. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other PSUs accounted for approx. 77% of total production.
