In a significant boost to India’s air defence preparedness, the Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹1,950 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of two advanced mountain radar systems for the Indian Air Force.
The agreement, signed in New Delhi under the ‘Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)’ category, reflects the government’s continued push towards self-reliance in defence production. Along with the radar systems, the deal also includes associated equipment and necessary infrastructure for deployment.
What makes this development noteworthy is its strong indigenous backbone. The mountain radar systems have been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), while BEL will handle manufacturing. This collaboration showcases India’s growing capability to design and produce high-end defence technologies within the country.
These radars are specifically tailored for challenging mountainous terrains, where surveillance and threat detection are often more complex due to geographical constraints. Once inducted, they are expected to significantly enhance the Indian Air Force’s ability to monitor airspace and respond swiftly to potential threats in high-altitude regions.
Officials noted that such procurements not only strengthen national security but also reduce dependence on foreign defence imports—an important step in building long-term strategic autonomy.
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The deal is part of the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, under which the government is focusing on boosting indigenous manufacturing, encouraging innovation, and creating a robust domestic defence ecosystem.
As India continues to modernise its armed forces, investments like these signal a clear direction—building stronger, smarter, and more self-reliant defence capabilities tailored to the country’s unique strategic needs.