Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has announced a strategic partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to bolster India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The companies revealed their collaboration on Tuesday, stating that they plan to respond to an Expression of Interest released by the Government of India’s Aeronautical Development Agency in the upcoming weeks. The AMCA programme seeks to develop a 5th-generation fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
This partnership leverages L&T’s expertise in defence and aerospace platforms alongside BEL’s proficiency in defence electronics and systems. Both companies have previously collaborated on India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft programme, where L&T provided aero-structure modules and BEL was responsible for developing avionics and electronic systems.
S N Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director of L&T, emphasized that this collaboration represents a significant advancement in the country’s commitment to modernizing its defence capabilities. BEL’s Chairman & Managing Director, Manoj Jain, described the partnership as a “crucial step” toward realizing India’s ambitions in defence technology.
This collaboration aligns with the Indian government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, which aims for self-reliance in defence. L&T operates as a $30 billion multinational corporation, whereas BEL, classified as a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), reported annual sales of approximately $2.74 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25.
As of 10:20 AM on the NSE, shares of L&T were trading at ₹3,686.70, up by ₹29.10 or 0.80 percent, while BEL shares were at ₹403.20, down by ₹1.25 or 0.31 percent.
The announcement reflects a growing emphasis on advancing indigenous capabilities within India’s defence sector.
