New Delhi, Mar 27 (KNN) The country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are at core of the ecosystem that powers large engineering plaforms as they scale up their manufacturing capability, BEML Chairman and Managing Director Shantanu Roy said.
He was speaking at National Defence Industries Conclave–Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (NDIC–AMTS) 2026 held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
MSMEs Central To Industrial Ecosystem And Innovation
Speaking at a high-level panel discussion on defence platforms, including main battle tanks, armoured vehicles and military logistics systems, Roy highlighted that while large-scale manufacturing drives efficiency, the depth and strength of MSME partnerships underpin long-term sustainability and innovation.
He noted that MSMEs form the backbone of BEML’s ecosystem, contributing across design, precision engineering, fabrication and lifecycle support.
According to him, the company’s diverse portfolio, from high mobility defence vehicles operating in extreme terrains to metro systems and mining equipment, relies heavily on a robust MSME vendor base.
Strong Indigenisation And Rising MSME Contribution
BEML currently works with over 1,066 MSMEs out of its 1,785 approved vendors, reflecting a strong focus on indigenisation.
The company has achieved over 95 percent indigenisation in high mobility vehicles, around 90 percent in mining and construction equipment, and about 90 percent in rail systems, while metro projects have reached approximately 65 percent indigenisation.
The growing collaboration is also evident in procurement trends. MSME sourcing has more than doubled over the past three years, from around Rs 700 crore to Rs 1,600 crore, now accounting for nearly 40 percent of BEML’s domestic procurement.
Roy further underlined the role of MSMEs in advancing indigenous defence manufacturing, noting their contribution in supplying key components such as driver cabins, braking systems, engine parts and suspension systems.
Push For Self-Reliance And Future Collaboration
Reaffirming alignment with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, he said BEML remains committed to expanding its MSME ecosystem to enhance resilience, innovation and global competitiveness.
He also invited emerging MSMEs to collaborate in developing next-generation mobility solutions, including high-speed rail systems and advanced defence platforms.
(KNN Bureau)
