MoD Seals ₹1,640 Crore Deal with BEL for Army’s Air Defense Enhancement

Download IPFS

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, July 25, 2025, formalized a substantial contract worth approximately ₹1,640 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of advanced Fire Control Radars (FCRs) for the Indian Army. This significant agreement, executed under the “Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured)” category, is a pivotal step towards modernizing the Army’s air defense capabilities and boosting domestic defense production.

The newly acquired Fire Control Radars are crucial components for any modern air defense system. These specialized radars are designed to precisely detect, track, and identify various airborne threats, including advanced fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, and hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By providing real-time and highly accurate data on a target’s position, speed, and trajectory, these FCRs enable the precise guidance of air defense weaponry to effectively intercept and neutralize threats.

This contract aligns directly with the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to reducing reliance on foreign defense imports. The MoD has stipulated that these Fire Control Radars will incorporate a minimum of 70 percent indigenous content, ensuring that a significant portion of the manufacturing and value addition occurs within India. This not only strengthens the domestic defense industrial base but also fosters technological self-sufficiency.

The radars, conceptualized and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will be manufactured by BEL, a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence. This collaboration between a premier research organization and a leading public sector manufacturer is expected to have a cascading positive effect on the broader Indian economy. It will particularly benefit numerous Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that will be involved in supplying components and raw materials, thereby generating employment and boosting local industries.

The induction of these indigenously developed and manufactured Fire Control Radars will significantly enhance the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Indian Army’s Air Defence Regiments. It represents a tangible commitment to equipping the armed forces with cutting-edge technology born from domestic innovation, ensuring India’s strategic autonomy and robust defense against evolving aerial threats.