Recalling his tenure at HAL, Dr. Tyagi shared the experience of integrating the BrahMos missile with the Sukhoi-30 fleet, describing it as a defining example of institutional courage and leadership. Faced with competing cost estimates, HAL chose to back its own assessment and successfully completed the integration in less than two years. He noted that while technical capability is essential, leadership and the willingness to make difficult decisions are what ultimately drive national programmes forward. Reflecting on his experience as CMD of HAL, Chairman of Pawan Hans and now as an Independent Director, Dr. Tyagi observed that the gap between capable professionals and capable leadership often determines whether institutions progress or stagnate. He concluded that India’s pursuit of self-reliance is not only a technology challenge but also a leadership challenge, and congratulated BrahMos Aerospace, its CEO Jaiteerth R. Joshi, and VIF Director Arvind Gupta for their contributions to strengthening India’s strategic and technological capabilities over the past 25 years.

During the last fiscal year, the department generated revenue exceeding  Rs. 300 crore through its specialized products. In a significant achievement, SPP successfully developed and dispatched 4 mm 2 PIE armour-grade plates for Ordnance Factory Medak, demonstrating its technological capability and commitment to meeting the evolving requirements of India’s defence sector.

Commissioned in 1969, the plant has a rich legacy of supplying high-quality steel plates to India’s defence forces and naval establishments. With the commissioning of a new Quenching & Tempering (Q&T) Furnace and an additional Heat Treatment Line, the plant’s production capacity has been enhanced from 250 tonnes per month to 1,250 tonnes per month.

SPP plays a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by catering to the requirements of defence and research organizations. Over the years, it has supplied steel for several prestigious indigenous defence projects, including INS Vikrant, INS Kamorta and INS Taragiri, among others.

The plant has also supplied substantial quantities of Spade Grade and Jackal Grade plates to Heavy Vehicles Factory and Ordnance Factory Medak for the manufacture of armoured vehicles. In addition, Jackal Grade plates have been supplied to Vehicle Factory Jabalpur for anti-mine protected vehicles. Other notable achievements include rolling plates for the Agni Missile Programme supplied to Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited and producing and dispatching naval-grade steels such as DMR-249A, DMR-249B and DMR-301 under the guidance of Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory.

As a pioneer in the production of heat-treated armour-grade steel plates for ordnance factories and the Indian Navy, the Special Plate Plant continues to contribute significantly to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Through its advanced capabilities, technological excellence and unwavering commitment to quality, SPP remains a vital partner in strengthening India’s defence preparedness and national security.

The company has delivered robust financial performance, with gross sales rising to ₹23,769 crore in FY25 and profit after tax increasing significantly to ₹5,287 crore. BEL remains debt-free with a strong order book of around ₹74,500 crore and has guided for substantial new orders, including major defence projects like the QRSAM system, as per report published in  leading  business magazine Businesss Today.

BEL has strengthened its indigenous capabilities in key areas such as radars, communication systems, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems. It has also expanded its manufacturing base and created dedicated strategic business units, while actively collaborating with DRDO and private players to enhance technological depth and execution capacity.

With flagship contributions like drone detection systems deployed in critical operations and a consistent investment of 6–7% of turnover in R&D, BEL continues to play a pivotal role in India’s defence ecosystem. The company’s transformation highlights how a technology-driven PSU can achieve sustained growth and strategic importance in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

The agreements were signed by BEL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain and Safran’s Executive Vice President and Defence Director Alexandre Ziegler in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veteran Affairs Catherine Vautrin during the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru. The equal-shareholding joint venture will focus on manufacturing, supply and maintenance of HAMMER missiles for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, reinforcing the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and reducing import dependence. The combat-proven HAMMER system, known for its high accuracy and modular design, is compatible with platforms such as the Dassault Rafale and the HAL Tejas, and the collaboration aims to leverage Safran’s expertise while strengthening India’s defence industrial base.