The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth approximately ₹770 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure Improved Low Level Light Weight Radar (LLLR-I) systems for the Indian Army. The contract was signed in New Delhi on October 21 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The procurement is intended to strengthen the Army’s air defence capabilities, particularly against low-level aerial threats, including unmanned aerial systems.
The LLLR-I system can detect and track fighter-sized targets as well as mini and micro drones. It also has the capability to prioritise aerial targets, helping defence personnel identify and respond to potential threats. The radar systems are expected to improve the Army’s ability to monitor airspace and counter threats from unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The capability to detect and track different types of aerial targets is important as armed forces address a wider range of threats involving both conventional aircraft and smaller unmanned platforms.
The procurement forms part of the government’s efforts to strengthen India’s domestic defence manufacturing sector. According to the Ministry of Defence, the contract supports the objective of indigenising air defence platforms and building a more self-reliant defence industrial base.
The initiative is also aligned with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The ministry said such procurements would support the development of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Greater domestic participation in defence production is intended to strengthen supply chains, support local industry and reduce dependence on overseas sources for selected defence equipment. The ministry also highlighted the importance of building a resilient and globally competitive defence industry.
BEL, a public sector defence electronics company, supplies electronic systems and equipment for India’s armed forces and other strategic sectors. The contract adds to its role in supplying radar and related electronic systems for defence applications. The Improved Low Level Light Weight Radar is designed to provide surveillance and tracking capabilities against aerial targets operating at low levels. Its ability to prioritise detected targets is intended to assist the Army in assessing threats and directing responses.
The Ministry of Defence said the procurement would contribute to strengthening air defence preparedness while supporting the government’s wider policy of promoting indigenous defence technologies and manufacturing capabilities. Bharat Electronics Limited is a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defence. The company develops and manufactures electronic equipment and systems for defence and other strategic applications, including radar, communication systems and electronic warfare equipment.
