BEL Opens High-Tech Facility In Andhra Pradesh To Supply Indian Armed Forces With Night Vision, Missile Sensor and Drone Defence Systems

In a major push towards defence self-reliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an Advanced Night Vision factory at Nimmaluru in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district on Thursday (16 October).

The facility is part of development projects worth around Rs 13,430 crore that the Prime Minister launched in Kurnool.

Addressing a gathering, Modi said the new unit would significantly boost India’s capacity to produce advanced night vision equipment, missile sensors, and drone guard systems.

He added that such indigenous manufacturing initiatives would propel India’s defence exports to new heights.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, he noted that the world had witnessed the effectiveness of Indian-made weapon systems, underscoring the growing trust in the country’s defence technology.

Highlighting the Andhra Pradesh government’s efforts to develop Kurnool as India’s drone hub, Modi said the drone industry would open up new opportunities in futuristic technologies, not just in Kurnool but across the state.

Kurnool will become a national strength in the drone sector in the coming years, he said.

The Advanced Night Vision facility, established by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with an investment of approximately Rs 360 crore, will cater to the needs of India’s armed forces as well as export markets.

Spread across 50.54 acres with a built-up area of 36,000 square metres, the factory is designed to produce a range of electro-optical devices, including advanced night vision systems, infrared seekers for indigenous missiles, and drone guard systems capable of countering rogue UAVs and aerial threats.

The plant features flexible production lines and space to integrate future technologies and product lines.

The facility is expected to create employment opportunities over the next two to three years while supporting India’s broader goal of reducing dependence on foreign defence imports.

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