Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, Director (Other Units), BEL, and Vikrant Trilokekar, Managing Director of Smiths Detection in India, display the MoU signed between BEL and Smiths Detection, in the presence of Suryanarayana Murthy G, GM (Pune), BEL, and other senior officers, at BEL Corporate Office, Bengaluru.
Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on August 30, 2022, signed an MoU with Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection and security inspection technologies, for offering advanced, high-energy scanning systems to the Indian market.
The MoU will leverage the high-end, technological capabilities of both the firms to meet India’s domestic security needs. It has been signed in line with the Indian Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, which seeks to increase manufacturing activities in India.
With a marked increase in movement of people and goods at critical infrastructure, land borders and urban sensitive points, there is a growing requirement for screening technologies in India. To facilitate ease of doing business and enhance safety, the Indian Government is investing in port and land border security. Moreover, the requirement for industry-leading high-energy scanning technology is being driven by Defence installations, which need to screen large volumes of vehicles and impose restricted entry at sensitive areas. BEL will handle front-end requirements in the market, supporting localization of the projects. Smiths Detection will provide its state-of-the-art screening technology and technological expertise for the project. The MoU is for a period of five years and can be extended further by mutual consent.
Vikrant Trilokekar, Managing Director of Smiths Detection in India, said: “We are delighted to announce the MoU with BEL. Together, we have the expertise and experience to supply the Indian Government with the industry-leading screening technology it requires for its ever-evolving security needs. Smiths Detection is committed to the Indian market and looks forward to the opportunities the MoU with BEL will uncover.”
Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, Director (Other Units), BEL, said: “Though Defence is its mainstay, BEL has been continuously exploring opportunities in allied non-defence areas like Homeland Security and Network & Cyber Security. Through this tie-up with Smiths Detection, BEL will look at catering to the emerging market for high-energy scanning systems, yet another step in the direction of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India).
Smiths Detection, a division of Smiths Group, is a global leader in inspection and detection technologies for the air transport, ports and borders, armed forces and urban security markets. With more than 70 years of experience in the field, Smiths Detection offer the necessary solutions to protect society from the threats posed by explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemical agents and narcotics – helping to make the world a safer place. Smiths Detection have operated in India for over 20 years. In October 2021, Smiths Detection opened its new Global Technology Development Centre in Bangalore, which is a global hub for the development and delivery of new digital technologies that will be used by customers across aviation, defence, urban security, and ports and borders industries.
