The signees believe that the two agreements, costing around Rs 2,800 crore and Rs 950 crore each, will further India’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing
In a recent update from the South Block, the Ministry of Defence has signed two contracts with Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Embodying the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, these projects cost over Rs 3,700 crore and are aimed to enhance the operational capabilities, including surveillance, detection, tracking & electronic warfare capabilities of the Indian Air Force. While the first contract pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) ‘Arudhra’ for the Indian Air Force, the second contract relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR). Notably, both projects are under the ‘Buy Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)’ category.
As per the official release, MPR (Arudhra) is a 4D multi-function phased array radar with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation for surveillance, detection and tracking of aerial targets. It further noted that the system will have target identification based on interrogations from co-located ‘Identification Friend or Foe system’.
The radar has been indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will be manufactured by BEL. It must be noted that its successful trials have already been conducted by the Indian Air Force.
Regarding DR-118 Radar Warning Receiver, the official note said that it will considerably enhance the Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities of Su-30 MKI aircraft. As a majority of sub-assemblies and parts will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, the project is expected to boost the active participation of Indian Electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs. It further noted that around two lakh man-days of employment opportunities will be generated over a period of three and half years.
Bengaluru-based BEL is a Navratna DPSU under the Indian Defence Ministry. It was established in 1954 to meet the needs of the Indian defence services for electronics equipment, systems and services. BEL’s non-defence business segment includes electronic voting machines, satellite integration & space electronics, railways, AI, cyber security, energy storage products, etc.
