New Delhi: Hari Kumar R has been appointed as Director (Research & Development) at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a key public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal from the Department of Defence Production, as per an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday.
Mr Kumar, who is currently serving as General Manager, Technology Planning at BEL, will now join the company’s Board of Directors and report directly to the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). As Director (R&D), he will be responsible for steering BEL’s research and development strategy, advancing indigenous technology, and aligning the company’s innovation roadmap with India’s “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” self-reliance initiative.
A Distinguished Career Spanning Over 35 Years
Mr Kumar joined BEL on May 1, 1989, as a Probationary Engineer, after earning his B.Tech in Electronics & Communication from the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Over the last three and a half decades, he has emerged as a prominent figure in India’s defence electronics sector, contributing to the design, development, and deployment of several cutting-edge technologies.
His technical leadership has been integral to BEL’s Development & Engineering (D&E) functions, particularly in providing manufacturing support through robust design frameworks and detailed engineering documentation.
Key Technological Milestones
Among Kumar’s most notable contributions is his work on India’s first 65-Kelvin C-band and Extended-C-band Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), which were deployed in Satcom earth stations by VSNL and Doordarshan. He also led the development of C-Band Quad Transmit-Receive Modules for phased array radars and advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based transmitters for communication and radar systems—technologies that have since become vital to India’s defence and aerospace capabilities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kumar spearheaded BEL’s swift response to national needs by leading the company to obtain ISO 13485:2016 Medical Standard certification in just 45 days. Under his leadership, BEL’s ICU Ventilator System underwent rapid third-party validation, and the company successfully completed Pre-Dispatch Inspection (PDI) of 30,000 ventilator systems, comprising nearly 1.5 lakh sub-systems, in a record three and a half months.
Revitalizing Operations and Fast-Tracking R&D
Between 2020 and 2022, Kumar led the turnaround of BEL’s Components Strategic Business Unit (SBU), streamlining procurement and significantly ramping up production across critical product lines. As GM (Technology Planning), he focused on expediting R&D workflows, enhancing innovation pipelines, and managing high-priority technology programs.
Recognitions and Leadership Style
Mr Kumar’s achievements have earned widespread recognition. His teams have filed multiple patent applications and have received prestigious awards including the BEL R&D Awards, SODET Awards, and Raksha Mantri Awards. Known for his collaborative leadership, Kumar values the role of every department in achieving organizational goals and credits his professional success to the mentorship of senior colleagues and the dedication of his teams.
Looking Ahead
As Director (R&D), Hari Kumar R is expected to lead BEL’s innovation strategy during a critical time when indigenization, self-reliance, and next-generation defence technologies are at the forefront of India’s national agenda.
In his new role, he will be tasked with formulating cutting-edge R&D strategies, monitoring global technology trends, and fostering innovation across BEL’s divisions to maintain its leadership in defence and electronics systems.
Selection
The selection followed a rigorous process conducted by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), which interviewed seven candidates on February 1, 2025. Hari Kumar R was selected based on his extensive experience and proven leadership in technology planning and product development at BEL.
Among those interviewed for the prestigious post were senior officials from within BEL, including:
- Smt. Prabha Goyal, Executive Director, National Marketing, Delhi
- Shri Anoop Kumar Rai, Chief Scientist
- Smt. Rashmi Kathuria, GM, SCCS, GAD & Unit Head
- Shri Kappagantula Srinivas, GM & Unit Head
- Shri Giriraja Nandavaram, GM, DCCS
As well as - Smt. Shyamala Venkataraman, GM & Head, Corporate Technology Management, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
About BEL
BEL is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Established in 1954 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, BEL is a leading player in India’s defence electronics sector, with a strategic mandate to develop indigenous defence technologies and systems.
