New Delhi: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a government-owned defence manufacturer, is exploring a joint production arrangement with Italian defence company WASS to manufacture advanced torpedoes for the Indian Navy. The initiative is aimed at strengthening India’s underwater warfare capabilities and expanding domestic defence manufacturing.
The proposed partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the India-Italy Defence Industry Cooperation Dialogue in New Delhi. It builds on a December 2025 contract worth ₹1,896 crore under which WASS is supplying 48 Black Shark Advanced heavyweight torpedoes and associated launch systems for the Indian Navy’s six Kalvari-class Scorpène submarines.
Ambitious Order and Revenue Targets
BDL, under Chairman and Managing Director Shailesh Vagerwal, is targeting fresh orders worth approximately ₹15,000 crore in the financial year 2026-27. The company aims to secure orders worth ₹30,000 crore over the next three years. Its existing order book stands at nearly ₹27,000 crore.
Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems account for around 50 per cent of its order book, while Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) contribute approximately 40 per cent.
The company expects its annual revenue to cross ₹5,000 crore for the first time in FY27. During the July-September quarter, BDL reported revenue of ₹1,664.1 crore, registering a 45.1 per cent year-on-year increase. Net profit, however, declined 15 per cent to ₹183.5 crore.
Major domestic contracts include a ₹1,543 crore order for Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes, an ₹810.79 crore contract for Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) for the Indian Air Force and a ₹1,109.37 crore agreement for Helina launchers for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Focus on International Markets
BDL is also seeking to expand its presence in overseas defence markets. Following the supply of Akash air defence systems to Armenia, the company is pursuing further opportunities in the Philippines.
Indonesia has also expressed interest in acquiring BDL’s Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) for its planned fleet of 42 Rafale fighter aircraft. The proposed integration will require approval from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation.
The Pralay tactical missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is attracting international attention following its successful test on November 5, 2026. BDL is among the production partners for the missile, which has an operational range of 150–500 km.
New Manufacturing Facilities
To support its expanding commitments, BDL is developing additional manufacturing infrastructure. Projects include a propellant facility in Jhansi under the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, a missile manufacturing unit at Ibrahimpatnam near Hyderabad and underwater weapon system manufacturing facilities in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts of Andhra Pradesh.
The company’s ability to meet delivery schedules, manage production costs and maintain profitability will be important as it expands its domestic and international defence business.
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