Indian Air Force To Get Homemade Mountain Radars, Rs 1,950 Crore Deal Inked

The Indian Air Force is set to get two indigenously made, hi-tech mountain radars that can track enemy aircraft, missiles and drones, including projectiles flying at low altitudes. These radars, defence sources say, can prove very useful in strategic areas in Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. They can be deployed at high altitudes by helicopters, the sources said.

The Defence Ministry has signed a deal with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the two radars. The Rs 1,950-crore deal is a major step in India's journey towards self-reliance in defence infrastructure. The mountain radar has been designed and developed in Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a Bengaluru-based laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The BEL will manufacture, assemble, and supply them.

The deal between the Defence Ministry and BEL has been inked under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category that aims to support self-reliance in defence procurement.

According to defence sources, this radar can easily track enemy fighter jets, missiles and drones. These include low-flying cruise missiles and drones. These radars have all-weather functionality, making them ideal for use in high-altitude strategic regions. Defence sources say these radars will help track enemy movements and enhance the Indian Air Force's capability. 

This deal is a boost to the Centre's Make in India initiative and sends a strong message of self-reliance, the sources added.