Defence Ministry signs Rs 770-crore deal with BEL for light radars to track fighter jets, small drones

The Indian Army's surveillance capability is set to grow. The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract of about Rs 770 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to buy light radars with modern capabilities. The radars will make it possible to keep watch on enemy fighter aircraft as well as the movements of small and micro drones.

The contract was signed in New Delhi on October 21, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The radars will be able to detect and track aerial targets flying at low altitude.

The radars will be able to search for and follow aerial targets, and also rank them by the level of threat. They have been developed to pick up targets as large as a fighter aircraft as well as small and micro drones.

The use of unmanned aerial systems has become a major challenge in modern warfare. Small drones can be used for spying as well as for attacks. With modern radars, it will be easier for the Army to identify aerial threats in time and prepare defensive action accordingly.

Another key feature of the radars is the prioritisation of aerial targets. This will allow attention to be focused on the bigger threats while tracking several targets at once.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the contract is an important milestone in the indigenisation of the country's air defence systems. It is expected to boost defence production within the country. Micro, small and medium enterprises are also expected to get an opportunity in the defence production supply chain.

The purchase is also being seen as important to achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047. These efforts aim to increase domestic manufacture of modern defence equipment, reduce dependence on foreign technology and build a self-reliant defence industry that can compete across the world.

The contract of about Rs 770 crore is expected to help strengthen the Army's aerial surveillance capability. It is also expected to give a push to the making of modern radars in the country.