Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), a PSU under the Ministry of Defence, has evinced interest in developing main battle tanks for the Indian Army.
Disclosing this here on Monday after launching a 205 tonne dump truck for operations in the mining industry, BEML Chairman and Managing Director Deepak Kumar Hota said the company’s proposal for “manufacturing main battle tank (MBT)-2 was under active consideration”. “I have requested the Minister for Defence for considering BEML,” he said.
He maintained that the prototype of MBT combat vehicle was developed by BEML years ago. “But for some reason, the production of the tanks went to others,” Mr. Hota said, adding that BEML was now keen to take up manufacturing of MBT-2 battle tanks for the army. He added that BEML has also evinced interest to design and develop underground equipment for use in mining operations.
The CMD said the BEML’s income from the rail and metro sectors was expected to be around ₹1,900 crore this year. Likewise, a turnover of ₹1,900 crore was also expected from the mining and construction sectors.
“We are gradually shifting towards the needs of our customers,” he explained.
Addressing employees, Mr. Hota said BEML could do much better considering its size, technological strengths and manpower. “I think the sky should be the limit for BEML. The employees should believe in themselves and think big for achieving big. The markets may not be the same as in the past. We need to do it right for the market. This is important,” he stressed.
He said the BEML Mysuru plant was also developing missile equipment for the defence sector. The Metro and Railways were other focus areas.
