L&T partners with BEL for India's 5th-Gen fighter jet programme; here's how stocks moved

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has formed a strategic partnership with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) to support the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The consortium will participate in the Expression of Interest notice issued by the government's Aeronautical Development Agency, by submitting a response in the coming weeks.

"The partnership will leverage L&T's expertise in developing strategic defence and aerospace platforms, along with BEL's experience in defence electronics and systems, to jointly contribute to India's 5th-generation fighter aircraft," the infra giant stated.

"The collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing India's defence capabilities in line with the Centre's vision for an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. By combining the strengths of the two leading defence technology providers, the partnership seeks to deliver a cutting-edge, high-quality solution," it added.

In the past, L&T and BEL have played a pivotal role in India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft programme by supplying major aero-structure modules and developing mission-critical avionics and electronic systems. Building on this legacy, the consortium will bring proven expertise and commitment to timely delivery of world-class defence and aerospace platforms for the IAF.

Commenting on the development, SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director, L&T, said: "The collaboration with BEL marks a significant leap in our commitment to the modernisation of India's defence capabilities. We are honoured to be working with BEL to deliver next-generation technologies for the Indian Air Force. Both organisations are leaders in our respective domains and our combined efforts will play a crucial role in bolstering national security and advancing self-reliance in defence technologies."

Manoj Jain, Chairman & Managing Director at BEL, said: "The AMCA project represents India's growing capabilities in defence technology. Our collaboration with L&T is a crucial step in realising this vision. With L&T's engineering and systems integration capabilities and BEL's expertise in defence electronics, we are confident of delivering a world-class solution that will serve the Indian Air Force for decades to come."

On the stock-specific front, shares of L&T edged up 0.18 per cent to Rs 3,665 in Wednesday's trade, while BEL slipped 0.69 per cent to Rs 401.60.