Army Gets Tech Boost: Rs 770 Crore Deal for Advanced Lightweight Radars
India signs Rs 770 crore deal with BEL for advanced lightweight radars to detect drones and fighter jets, boosting Army air defence.
In a major move to fortify its aerial surveillance and defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth approximately Rs 770 crore to procure Improved Low Level Light Weight Radars (LLLR-I) for the Indian Army. The agreement was inked with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in New Delhi, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh presiding over the event on Wednesday.
Countering the Drone Menace
The LLLR(I) system is specifically designed to address modern aerial threats. According to the Ministry of Defence, these radars possess the critical capability to detect and track targets the size of fighter jets, as well as the increasingly dangerous mini and micro drones.
Beyond simple detection, the system features an advanced capability to prioritize aerial targets. This functionality is expected to be a game-changer for the Indian Army, allowing it to effectively counter threats posed by Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with greater precision and speed.
A Leap Toward 'Viksit Bharat 2047'
This procurement is not just about hardware; it is a strategic step toward the government's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. By sourcing these platforms indigenously, India is significantly advancing the indigenization of its Air Defence systems.
The deal is set to provide a substantial boost to the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. This includes support for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), helping India build a resilient, self-reliant, and globally competitive defence industry in line with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make-in-India' initiatives.
A Series of Strategic Acquisitions
The radar deal follows a string of high-value defence contracts signed earlier this month. On October 15, the Ministry of Defence inked agreements totaling approximately Rs 4,106 crore to upgrade the capabilities of the Air Force and Navy:
- GSAT-7C for the Indian Air Force: A contract worth Rs 2,563 crore was signed with New Space India Limited, Bengaluru. This indigenously developed communication satellite is designed to ensure secure, resilient, and seamless communication for Air Force assets, thereby enhancing overall operational effectiveness.
- Varunastra Torpedoes for the Indian Navy: A deal worth Rs 1,543 crore was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad. The Varunastra is a ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory. Known for its advanced maneuvering, it can engage enemy submarines at long ranges, significantly strengthening the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capacity.
These contracts, signed in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) A Anbarasu, underscore India's commitment to reducing reliance on foreign imports and mastering critical defence technologies domestically.