The Ministry of Defence has awarded BEL a ₹770 crore contract for indigenous lightweight radars that can detect and track fighter-sized targets and mini and micro drones, strengthening the Indian Army’s air defence capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a ₹770 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for Improved Low-Level Lightweight Radars (LLLR-I), strengthening India’s indigenous defence electronics capabilities and the Indian Army’s ability to counter aerial threats.
Signed in New Delhi on October 21, 2026, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, the contract covers radar systems designed to detect and track fighter-sized aerial targets as well as mini and micro drones.
The LLLR-I system also features the ability to prioritise detected aerial targets, helping defence personnel assess potential threats. This capability is particularly relevant as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) pose growing challenges to military installations and operational formations.
The procurement is intended to strengthen the Army’s air surveillance and defence preparedness by improving its ability to identify and track different categories of aerial threats.
The contract also supports the government’s push to indigenise defence equipment and strengthen domestic manufacturing. According to the Ministry, the procurement is expected to support India’s defence industrial ecosystem, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader objective of building a self-reliant defence industry and reducing dependence on external sources for critical military equipment. It also supports the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The announcement does not specify the radar’s detection range, frequency bands, semiconductor components or the extent of domestic content in the systems.
