Have you ever wondered that when a pilot flies our fighter plane Tejas on the border, or when our submarine dodges the enemy under the sea, whose sweat is behind it? Who is he who is preparing technology for the safety of millions and crores of people? Maybe you might not have thought. Let us tell. In fact, three big companies of India have played a big role in making the dream of making the country a powerful nation come true. These three companies are – HAL, BEL and MDSL.
These are those names which are generally not discussed, but without the things made by them, our army cannot take a single step forward in the modern era. With the sweat of thousands of workers and engineers of these three companies, India has been able to dream of becoming self-reliant in the defense sector. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) are now in the news because SIPRI has ranked these three Indian companies among the top 100 defense companies in the world. HAL has maintained its position as India’s largest defense manufacturing company. The company earned $3.8 billion. It is at number 44 in the global ranking. BEL has also achieved 58th position in the global ranking. MDSL is at number 91 in the global ranking.
What is SIPRI? How important is it?
Let us tell you that the full name of SIPRI is Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. It is an international organization which does the following work-
- Collects information related to the production, sale and purchase of weapons around the world.
- Researches the defense expenditure, arms race and military strength of different countries.
- Through its reports, it tells which countries or companies are doing so much work in the defense sector.
- Its objective is to provide accurate and reliable information on matters related to peace and security in the world.
HAL: Sky Journey
The story of HAL began in 1940, when Walchand Hirachand dreamed of building airplanes in Bengaluru. A dream which was very adventurous at that time. The Maharaja of Mysore gave land and Hindustan Aircraft Limited was started. After independence, the government took it over and it became HAL in 1964.
Despite the lack of technology, foreign dependence and training challenges, HAL went ahead and built the first indigenous trainer HT-2 in 1951. This became the foundation of India’s aviation self-reliance.
HAL’s work is to manufacture and maintain fighter planes, helicopters and transport aircraft. Projects like Tejas fighter jet and Dhruv helicopter have made it the backbone of the Indian Air Force. HAL does not just make machines, it also creates the security of the country’s skies.
BEL: Strength of eyes and ears
BEL was started in 1954 because modern wars are won not only with weapons, but with radar and communication systems. BEL’s mission was to become the “eyes and ears” of the army.
Lack of technology and support was a challenge in the initial years, but BEL relied on R&D. The radar facility started in 1966 and after this important equipment like electronic warfare system, sonar, communication network and fire control system started being manufactured.
BEL’s model is to increase digital warfare capabilities, radars that scan the sky, systems that connect forces, technology that jams the enemy. Today BEL not only strengthens the army but also strengthens democracy through EVMs. Its rapid 23.6% growth is proof of its growing potential.
MDSL: Protector of the Sea
MDSL’s roots go back to 1774, when a small dockyard was built in Mumbai. After nationalization in 1960, it became the main center of warship construction. India’s long coastline and security needs made MDSL extremely important.
Technology and experience in making submarines was less, but with the help of foreign cooperation and modern construction techniques, MDSL gradually increased its capacity. INS Nilgiri (1972) was the first major step and INS Shalki (1992) brought India into the list of countries producing indigenous submarines.
The main work of MDSL is to build destroyers, frigates and submarines. The Scorpene Project is its most famous work. Today it is the only shipyard in the country that builds both destroyers and conventional submarines – India’s shield at sea.
