Rajnath Singh Unveils Missile Integration Facility & AI Push at BEL

India’s defense manufacturing received a major boost as Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new Missile Integration Facility at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru on February 16, 2026. During the visit, he flagged off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat Systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar. He also remotely inaugurated BEL’s Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence in Pune and formally launched the company’s AI Policy.

Missile Integration Facility & Akash Regiments Flagged Off

The inauguration of the Missile Integration Facility marks a major step toward strengthening indigenous defense production.

• The new facility at BEL will support faster integration of missile systems.
• Raksha Mantri flagged off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat Systems.
• The Akash system enhances India’s air defense shield.
• The Mountain Fire Control Radar was also unveiled.

The Akash missile system is a surface-to-air missile designed to intercept aerial threats. With the addition of new regiments, India’s air defense network becomes stronger and more responsive.

AI Push: Centre of Excellence & BEL AI Policy

A strong focus was placed on Artificial Intelligence and advanced technologies.

• Remote inauguration of Centre of Excellence for AI in Pune.
• Formal unveiling of BEL’s AI Policy.
• AI to be used in threat prediction and early warning systems.
• Emphasis on real-time decision-making and autonomous defense systems.

Rajnath Singh highlighted that AI and quantum computing are transforming modern warfare. The AI initiatives aim to improve operational confidence and battlefield effectiveness.

Indigenous Defense Tech & R&D Progress

During the visit, Raksha Mantri was briefed on advanced indigenous defense technologies and R&D projects.

• Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM).
• Light Combat Aircraft Mk II (LCA Mk II).
• Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
• Project Kusha (MR SAM/LR SAM).
• Counter-drone systems and naval weapon control systems.

He praised BEL for strengthening network-centric operations through integrated systems and real-time data sharing. Indigenous air defence and anti-drone systems were also successfully used during Operation Sindoor.

Focus on Viksit Bharat & Self-Reliance

Rajnath Singh stressed that India must stay ahead in the global technology race.

• Encouraged collaboration between BEL, start-ups, and academia.
• Called for rapid prototyping and cross-disciplinary innovation.
• Highlighted importance of self-reliant defence manufacturing.
• Linked defence technology advancement to Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

He emphasised that victory achieved through indigenous systems boosts national confidence and reduces dependence on foreign technology.

About BEL and Akash System

• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is a leading Defense Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defense.
• It develops radars, electronic warfare systems, communication systems, and missile technologies.
• The Akash Missile System is an indigenously developed medium-range surface-to-air missile capable of engaging multiple aerial targets.
• It is a key component of India’s air defence architecture and supports network-centric warfare capabilities.

Question

Q. The Missile Integration Facility was inaugurated at which organization?

A. DRDO
B. HAL
C. BEL
D. ISRO