Delhi: India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Ratna Category-I Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Defence Production, has launched its indigenous ‘GARUD’ High-Resolution Binoculars for the civilian market.
Developed and manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Dehradun, a unit of IOL, GARUD marks the company’s entry into the civilian optics segment. The product combines IOL’s long-standing defence-grade optical manufacturing expertise with modern technology and indigenous design.
India Optel Launches GARUD Binoculars
The launch took place at DPSU Bhawan, New Delhi, on August 13, 2026, in the presence of Dr Garima Bhagat, Joint Secretary (Land Systems).
The event was attended by senior officials from:
- Department of Defence Production
- Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
- Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
- Wildlife Society of India
- IOL’s Board of Directors
- Senior officers of India Optel Limited
The launch represents IOL’s move to make its defence optical capabilities available to civilian users.
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GARUD Binoculars: Key Features
The GARUD binoculars have been designed to provide clear and reliable optical performance for a range of outdoor and professional applications.
Key specifications include:
- Magnification: 8x
- Field of View: 7.6 degrees
- Weight: Approximately 610 grams
- Diopter Adjustment: ±5 diopter
- Construction: Weather-resistant
- Eyecups: Soft-touch design
- Grip: Secure and ergonomic
The combination of portability, wide field of view and weather-resistant construction is aimed at providing comfortable and dependable viewing across different outdoor conditions.
GARUD Designed for Multiple Civilian Applications
The binoculars are intended for a broad range of civilian and professional applications.
Potential uses include:
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife observation
- Nature exploration
- Travel
- Sports
- Forestry
- Marine activities
- Security-related applications
The product’s compact design and approximately 610-gram weight are intended to make it suitable for extended outdoor use.
From Defence Optics to Civilian Market
The launch marks India Optel’s formal entry into the civilian optics market. GARUD is based on a proven binocular platform that has been used by the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces in demanding operational conditions.
The product reflects IOL’s transition from supplying specialised optical capabilities for defence and security applications to making selected indigenous optical products available to a wider civilian audience.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Focus
GARUD has been designed and manufactured indigenously, reflecting the government’s focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
India Optel brings a long legacy of precision optical manufacturing dating back to 1943. The company has combined this experience with modern technology in developing GARUD for civilian users.
The launch also highlights the potential for defence manufacturing capabilities to support India’s wider domestic technology and manufacturing ecosystem.
IOL Brings Defence-Grade Optical Expertise to Public
With GARUD, IOL is making its optical manufacturing capabilities accessible to outdoor enthusiasts and professionals beyond the defence sector. The binocular platform has served as a trusted optical product for the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces, and the civilian launch extends this legacy to applications such as wildlife observation, travel, sports and nature exploration.
About India Optel Limited
India Optel Limited (IOL) is a Mini Ratna Category-I Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The company specialises in optical and optoelectronic systems and has a long-standing legacy in precision optical manufacturing, serving India’s defence and security requirements.
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