BrahMos Aerospace to reserve jobs for Agniveers

BrahMos Aerospace has become the first company of the Indian defence industry to reserve jobs for Agniveers, or the military personnel enlisted under the government’s Agnipath Scheme.

Employment as part of the landmark decision will be done for BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) as well as more than 200 sectoral partners of the company. A BAPL policy dated September 26, 2024, talks of the need for extra manpower at the company, owing to a rise in work orders from both the Indian Armed Forces as well as the global market.

As part of reservations for Agniveers, 50 per cent of BAPL’s security and administrative vacancies will be set aside for Agniveers, besides 15 per cent of technical and general administration vacancies across work centres. Also, 15 per cent of third-party contract vacancies are to be reserved for Agniveers, subject to qualification and experience. BAPL will also promote recruitment of Agniveers for at least 15 per cent jobs available with industry partners for BrahMos Aerospace projects.

BAPL is an India-Russia joint venture that is known for producing supersonic cruise missile rated among the best in the world. Agniveers imbibe “a deep sense of discipline and nationalism, alongside expertise in their respective fields” after four years in the armed forces, and this is a skill set BAPL looks for, Dr SK Joshi, Deputy CEO of BrahMos Aerospace said, according to a Financial Express report. He added Agnipath was “a valuable filter” which ensured Agniveers were perfect for the needs of BAPL at “the technical and administrative levels”.

Agniveers are enrolled by the armed forces for four years under the Agnipath Scheme of 2022. Critics of Agnipath have alleged that the scheme, which gives military and technical skills to Agniveers, offers no clear career option after the program.

The defence sector plays significant role in India’s industrial growth today, with the nation exporting military hardware to around 90 nations, and considering the country aims to become a $5-trillion economy by next year. The Brahmos Aerospace decision to recruit Agniveers and amp the action couldn’t be better-timed.