Secure VHF/UHF Communications for Defence & Paramilitary

Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) unveiled its new BELCOMNET secure communications network at Aero India 2017 in Bangalore on 15 February.

Aimed at the defence, paramilitary and export markets, BELCOMNET is a secure V/UHF voice communications network, designed and developed by BEL, using user-specific encryption algorithms. Facilitating exchange of secure voice through geographically dispersed repeater nodes, the network allows field units and headquarters units, for example, to connect via Ipv6 features and allows for broadcasting to all sites in the event of a crisis situation.

Network components include Handheld Radio, Manpack Radio, Base Station radio, Vehicular Radio, VHF Repeater Radio, UHF Link Radio and Remote Monitor & Switching Units (RMSU). The VHF repeater, UHF link and RMSU are co-located and installed together at a communication tower site. The mobile subscriber radios around the repeater are handheld, manpack or vehicular, whereas the static subscriber provides the base station. Typical communication ranges for the handheld radios is around 5km, the manpack, vehicular and base stations 15-20km and the UHF point-to-point link 60-100km with directional antennae. Secure, clear and peer-to-peer communications modes are all catered for in the system.