BEL eyes ₹40,000 Crores From Project Kusha Implementation, likely 14 Regiments initially
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), India’s leading defence electronics enterprise, has received fresh orders worth ₹537 crore. The new contracts after 16 May 2025 as per its disclosure repirt, establishes the company’s top position in India’s growing defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The current new orders encompass a diverse portfolio including naval composite communication systems, jammers, simulator upgrades, test rigs, as well as spares and servicing. This confirms BEL’s versatile capabilities in making critical systems for India’s armed forces across domains.
BEL is now gearing itself for a much larger project — the ₹40,000 crore Project Kusha. This DRDO air defence project aims to create an indigenous laired air defence shield more advanced than S400 long-range air defence system imported from Russia.
Project Kusha is designed to provide an umbrella type protection against enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial threats through an integrated and highly mobile surface-to-air missile batteries. This is going to be India’s most advanced air defence system to cover the entire subcontinent through full self-reliance in strategic defence technologies. Roughly we need 15 × Regiments to cover the entire perimeter of the country without any gaps. Another three are required for the Island territories and around 7x Regiments to add another layer to vulnerable areas….New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Vijag, Hyderabad, Jamnagar – Baroda etc.
Presently out of 22 × Regiments required, we have three deployed and two more soon. As remaining 17 Regiments will take a few years to manufacture, India may yet order two to three additional Regiments from Russia as gap filler.
BEL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain confirmed the company’s deep involvement in the project, both as a development partner with DRDO and as a contender for the role of primary system integrator.
He stated that BEL has already been contributing to the development of radar and control system components and is awaiting the government’s decision on the final appointment.
BEL could receive a contract order estimated to be worth roughly ₹40,000 crore, potentially the largest in its operational history. Such an award would position BEL at the forefront of India’s air defence architecture and drastically expand its technological and operational portfolio.
Combined with earlier large-scale orders, such as the ₹2,210 crore deal signed with the Ministry of Defence for Electronic Warfare (EW) suites for IAF’s Mi-17 V5 helicopters, the company’s near-term performance outlook remains strongly positive.
The helicopter EW package, integrating Radar Warning Receivers, Missile Approach Warning Systems, and Counter Measure Dispensing Systems, showcases BEL’s ability to deliver complex and high-sensitivity systems across multiple platforms.
The company not only supports key DRDO-led technologies but also provides vital infrastructure for integration, testing, and lifecycle support, reinforcing India’s ambition to achieve end-to-end defence self-reliance.
With BEL securing this position, it will not only serve as a milestone in India’s technological sovereignty but also redefine the scale and capability of its defence manufacturing ecosystem.
