By Staff Correspondent
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has inked two contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) worth a total of over INR 3,700 crore, to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The contracts fall under the Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category, supporting the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, or self-reliant India.
The first contract, valued at over INR 2,800 crore, is for the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) ‘Arudhra’ for the IAF. The MPR, designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by BEL, is a 4D multi-function phased array radar with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation for surveillance, detection, and tracking of aerial targets. Its successful trials have already been conducted by the IAF, and the project will further promote the development of manufacturing capability in the industrial ecosystem.
The second contract, at an overall cost of approximately INR 950 crore, is for 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), which will significantly enhance the Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities of Su-30 MKI aircraft. The DR-118 RWR project will boost and encourage active participation of Indian Electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs, and generate employment of approximately two lakh man-days over a period of three and a half years. The DR-118 RWR represents a significant leap forward in developing indigenous EW capabilities and enhancing India’s self-sufficiency in defence.
