Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, marked a significant milestone on May 15, 2026, as Hon'ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for the company's new state-of-the-art Naval Systems Manufacturing Facility at T. Sirasapalli village in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. The development advances India's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the strategic defence sector and strengthens indigenous naval defence manufacturing capabilities.

About Bharat Dynamics Limited

Established in 1970 under the Ministry of Defence, BDL has emerged as one of India's premier defence manufacturing enterprises and a key production partner of DRDO for strategic and tactical weapon systems. The company manufactures advanced missile systems such as Akash, Astra, and Medium Range Surface to Air Missile, anti-tank guided missiles, as well as underwater weapon systems including the heavy weight torpedo Varunastra, lightweight torpedo TAL, C-303 decoy, and associated launchers.

Key Highlights of the New Facility

The new manufacturing complex is being established to meet the growing requirements of the Indian Navy for advanced underwater weapon systems and naval combat systems. The following table outlines the key parameters of the project:

Infrastructure and Focus Areas

Spread across nearly 160 acres, the facility will include advanced manufacturing and assembly infrastructure, integration buildings, explosive handling and storage facilities, testing infrastructure including acoustic tank facilities, administrative buildings, and a dedicated green belt. The facility will primarily focus on underwater weapon systems, torpedoes, mines, and associated naval systems.

Strategic and Economic Significance

The project is expected to significantly enhance BDL's production capacity and enable execution of multiple concurrent projects. It will also strengthen collaboration with DRDO laboratories and Indian Navy establishments located in the Visakhapatnam region. Beyond its defence significance, the facility is expected to provide major impetus to regional economic development through the generation of about 3,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities and the promotion of local MSMEs and ancillary industries. The new Naval Systems Manufacturing Facility at T. Sirasapalli represents a major strategic expansion of BDL's capabilities and will play a crucial role in strengthening India's underwater warfare systems and long-term defence preparedness.

Bharat Dynamics Limited has announced a significant leadership transition with the superannuation of its Chairman and Managing Director. The defence public sector undertaking informed stock exchanges about the change in directorate under Regulation 30 of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015.

Leadership Transition Details

Cmde. A. Madhavarao (Retd.), who served as Chairman and Managing Director, superannuated on April 30, 2026 after closing of office hours. His tenure as Chairman and Managing Director on the Board of BDL concluded upon his superannuation, marking the end of his leadership role at the company.

Ministry of Defence Appointment

The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, through letter No. DDP M0001(24)/1/2026- D(BDL) dated April 26, 2026, has assigned the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director to Shri D.V. Srinivas Rao. Currently serving as Director (Technical), he will hold the additional charge for three months from the date of vacancy.

Interim Leadership Arrangement

Shri D.V. Srinivas Rao's appointment as interim CMD is effective from May 1, 2026, and will continue until July 31, 2026. The arrangement will remain in place until the assumption of charge by a regular incumbent or until further orders from the Ministry of Defence, whichever occurs earliest.

The company has fulfilled its disclosure obligations by informing both the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited about this directorate change. This transition ensures continuity in leadership while the government finalizes arrangements for a permanent successor to lead the defence manufacturing company.