By A Correspondent

Nimmaluru (Andhra Pradesh): Marking another step towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an Advanced Night Vision products factory in Nimmaluru in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh on Oct. 16, 2025, set up for INR 360 crore.

The facility was among the multiple development projects worth around INR 13,430 crore that the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for, inaugurated, and dedicated to the nation in Kurnool.

The facility would manufacture advanced electro-optical systems for the Armed Forces, reinforcing Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence, and promoting skilled employment in the region, according to a Ministry of Defence statement.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said the Advanced Night Vision factory will enhance India’s capability to produce night vision equipment, missile sensors, and drone guard systems, and would elevate the country’s defence exports to newer heights. He added that the entire world had witnessed the success of indigenous weapon systems during Operation Sindoor.

Expressing satisfaction that the Andhra Pradesh government had resolved to develop Kurnool as India’s drone hub, the Prime Minister said that through the drone industry, several new sectors linked to futuristic technologies would emerge in Kurnool and across Andhra Pradesh. He cited the success of drones in Operation Sindoor and affirmed that Kurnool will become a national strength in the drone sector in the coming years.

Established by BEL with an investment of around INR 360 crore, the facility has been created to meet the demands of the armed forces as well as for export purposes for various electro-optical devices (Advanced Night Vision Devices), Infrared Seekers for various indigenously developed missiles, and different types of drone guard systems for protection from rogue drones, UAVs, and other aerial threats. It has been constructed on 50.54 acres of land with a built-up area of 36,000 sqm.

“The facility will cater to the growing demands with flexible production lines and space that can accommodate future product lines and advanced manufacturing techniques. It will also generate employment over a period of 2 to 3 years,” the statement said.

Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chadrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, along with BEL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain, and BEL General Manager (DCCS) Jitendra Singh, witnessed the launch of the facility.

The Nimmaluru plant focuses primarily on the production of night vision devices such as Image Intensifiers, Thermal Imaging Systems, and other electro-optical products, which are crucial for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations of the armed forces in low-light and nighttime conditions.

The new facility is designed to support the most advanced manufacturing processes, incorporating key considerations in its design, including efficient material and manpower movement, and integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, all aimed at improving productivity, reducing lead time, and ensuring high-quality output in the production of night vision systems.

It has a Clean Room area of 5,800 sqm, a critical feature for ensuring a contamination-free environment for the assembly and testing of sensitive opto-electronic components, the statement said.

“This expansion represents a significant step forward in BEL’s efforts to become a global leader in opto-electronics, particularly in the development of next-generation night vision technologies that are essential for modern defence forces,” it added.

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