Defence Ministry signs Rs 1,950 crore deal with BEL for two Mountain Radars

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New Delhi, March 31

The Defence Ministry has signed a ₹1,950 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure two indigenously developed Mountain Radars for the Indian Air Force, in a move aimed at strengthening domestic defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India programmes.

The Ministry of Defence said the capital acquisition contract was signed in New Delhi on 31 March in the presence of senior officials from the ministry and BEL. The agreement includes the supply of two Mountain Radars along with associated equipment and the infrastructure required for their deployment.

The contract has been signed under the “Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)” category, which is intended to promote the procurement of locally designed and built defence systems.

According to the ministry, the Mountain Radar system has been designed and developed in India by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and will be manufactured by BEL.

Officials said the installation and commissioning of the radars would enhance India’s air defence capabilities, particularly in challenging terrain, and contribute to national security.

The government said the deal also reflects its broader push to reduce dependence on foreign defence equipment by encouraging indigenous design, development and manufacturing in the strategic sector.

The contract is part of India’s wider effort to build a stronger domestic defence industrial base while modernising the armed forces with locally produced systems.