Inking a ₹19.5 billion radar deal with the Defence Ministry, BEL and DRDO are set to deliver indigenous systems to strengthen the IAF’s mountain surveillance and national security.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a ₹19.5 billion contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to supply two Mountain Radars, along with associated equipment and infrastructure, to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The agreement, concluded in New Delhi on 31 March 2026, falls under the ‘Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)’ category, reinforcing the government’s emphasis on indigenous defence production.
The Mountain Radar system has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment and will be manufactured by BEL.
Installation and commissioning of the radars are expected to enhance India’s air defence capabilities, particularly in high-altitude regions, while reducing reliance on imported systems.
The deal comes as BEL reports a significant expansion of its order book. In March 2026, the company secured fresh contracts worth ₹67.95 billion across defence and export domains. These include avionics packages for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), electronic fuzes, satellite communication systems, and export-grade communication equipment.
BEL also announced additional defence contracts worth ₹16.6 billion covering electronic warfare and avionics systems.
Together, the radar contract and BEL’s expanding portfolio highlight the growing importance of indigenous defence enterprises in strengthening national security.
Meanwhile, the IAF is preparing to induct unmanned stealth fighters under the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) programme, creating an estimated ₹390 billion opportunity for the domestic industry.
