In what can be termed as a landmark event, Airports Authority of India (AAI) entered into an MoU with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Defence Public Sector Unit (DPSU) that will provide a platform for collaborative development and support for both the organisations to address the emerging airport business globally, including that of Asia Pacific region. In furtherance of such cooperation, AAl, in the role of development partner, will render assistance to BEL in its domain of expertise to enable execution of the prestigious MEA projects outside India by BEL. Both the organisations will work in close cooperation with each other in the field of civil aviation in present and in future projects being handled by BEL.
The MoU was signed by Sanjai Kumar Singhal, General Manager (Business Development), AAI and Manoj Kumar, Executive Director (National Marketing), RO Delhi, Bharat Electronics Limited at AAI Corporate Headquarters on 14 July 2020 in the presence of Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI, M.V. Gowtama, CMD, BEL and senior management of both the organisations through video conferencing. Chairman AAI, addressing the experts from both sides exuded optimism that the partnership between the two organizations will be a game-changer in Indian aviation sector in the years to come. He also said that the manufacturing of Communication, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS) Equipment in India will reduce the cost substantially and will save foreign exchange outflow, making India self-reliant. CMD, BEL affirmed that the MoU would provide for synergy of capabilities of both the organizations in their respective domains leading to mutually beneficial and lasting solutions in the evergrowing field of aviation. He also said that with the skills and expertise of AAI, BEL would enter in the domestic civil aviation market as well as in South-East Asian, African and Latin American civil aviation market. Signing of this MoU is a huge step forward for both the organisations to embark on joint cooperation and support in the field of aviation.