RRP Defense has secured an order worth approximately ₹29.8 crore from leading defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) for supply of high-precision germanium lenses used in critical infrared and thermal imaging applications which would be mounted on rifles used by the armed forces.
The company will design, engineer and customise the germanium lenses in accordance with BEL’s specific technical and operational requirements for advanced defence applications, RRP Defence said in a statement on Thursday.
Rajendra Chodankar, Founder & Chairman, RRP Group of Companies, told businessline : “the company, as per the contract, will build ten samples in four to six weeks and once they are tested and accepted by the BEL, main order of supply 8,000 sets of 23 mm and 47 mm diameter optical elements will be executed.”
Chodankar said the company is sourcing germanium, scarce raw material, from Russia, Bulgaria and South Korea for processing lenses.
Critical components
Germanium lenses are among the most critical components in thermal imaging and infrared sensing systems. Unlike conventional optical glass, germanium efficiently transmits infrared radiation, making it indispensable for thermal cameras, surveillance systems, weapon sights, target acquisition systems and other electro-optical platforms used across defence and strategic sectors.
It captures data from environment and supplies to sensors which, in turn, process to convert images into visible sights, he explained. The development, as per the company, further strengthens the strategic collaboration between BEL and the RRP Group following the recently signed MoU aimed at advancing cooperation in semiconductors, electro-optics, unmanned systems, and other advanced defence technologies.
The RRP Group Chairman also said they are in talks with BEL for designing multiple sights in partnership with Israel’s Meprolight for offering next-generation electro-optics, night-vision devices and weapon-sight systems to the Indian market. “Army needs that technology available in Israel for its rifles,” he said.
Talking about the group’s expansion plans, Chodankar said one of its companies, RRP Drones, has tied up with French Cygr to manufacture nearly 100 indigenised drone at its upcoming Mahape facility in Navi Mumbai. The company has also got a contract from a friendly neighbouring country to export 100 drones along with electro-optical systems for $20 million, he said while adding that a part order was executed last month.
Published on May 21, 2026