NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUG 13
A piece of India’s defence-grade optical legacy is now stepping out of the battlefield and into the hands of birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, travellers and outdoor professionals. India Optel Limited (IOL) has launched its indigenous ‘GARUD’ High Resolution Binoculars for the civil market, opening a new chapter in the country’s journey towards self-reliance in precision optics.
- Indigenous 8x high-resolution binoculars bring decades of defence optical expertise to the civil market
- GARUD offers 7.6° wide field of view, ±5 diopter adjustment and weather-resistant design
- 610-gram compact binoculars target wildlife, travel, sports, forestry, marine and outdoor enthusiasts
- Launch marks India Optel’s entry into the civilian optics market under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision
A Mini Ratna Category-I Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Defence Production, IOL has developed the GARUD binoculars through its Ordnance Factory, Dehradun, drawing on a precision optical manufacturing legacy dating back to 1943.
The product was launched in the presence of Joint Secretary (Land Systems) Dr Garima Bhagat at DPSU Bhawan, New Delhi, on Thursday.
Defence precision, now for the wider world
GARUD embodies the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, combining indigenous design and manufacturing with proven defence-grade optical expertise and contemporary technology.
Offering 8x magnification and a wide 7.6-degree field of view, the binoculars are designed to deliver clear observation of distant objects without sacrificing a broad viewing perspective.
The binoculars feature ±5 diopter adjustment to accommodate individual eyesight, soft-touch eyecups for comfortable extended viewing and a secure, ergonomic grip. Their weather-resistant construction is designed to support reliable performance across varied outdoor conditions.
610 grams of portable optical power
Weighing approximately 610 grams, GARUD combines portability with dependable optical performance in a compact package.
The indigenous binoculars are positioned for a wide range of civilian applications—from birdwatching, wildlife observation and nature exploration to travel, sports, forestry, marine activities and security-related uses.
The launch also marks IOL’s formal entry into the civilian optics market, bringing to the wider public optical capabilities developed and refined through decades of service to the nation.
A trusted defence platform enters civilian life
GARUD draws upon a binocular platform that has served as a trusted companion for the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces in demanding operational environments.
The transition from defence use to civilian applications gives outdoor enthusiasts and professionals an opportunity to experience optical precision and reliability rooted in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The launch event was attended by senior officials from the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Central Armed Police Forces and Wildlife Society of India, besides members of IOL’s Board of Directors and senior company officials.
With GARUD, IOL is effectively turning a proven defence capability into a made-in-India optical product for everyday exploration—putting a sharper Indian lens on the world outside.
