New Delhi, October 22 (TNA) The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth approximately ₹770 crore with state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the Indian Army’s Improved Low Level Light Weight Radar (LLLR-I) systems.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi on October 21 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior officials from the Defence Ministry and BEL.
Detecting drones and aircraft
The LLLR-I system is designed to detect and track fighter-sized aerial targets as well as mini and micro unmanned aerial vehicles. It also includes a capability to prioritise aerial targets, enabling operators to identify and respond to potential threats more effectively.
The procurement is aimed at strengthening the Indian Army’s low-level air-surveillance capabilities, particularly in view of the growing use of drones and other unmanned systems in modern conflicts. The radar can provide surveillance against a range of low-altitude aerial threats.
Indigenous defence production
The contract forms part of the government’s efforts to expand domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported military equipment. BEL, a public-sector defence electronics company, will manufacture and supply the radar systems to the Army.
The LLLR-I is an improved version of the earlier Aslesha radar developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Its relatively lightweight and man-portable design is intended to allow deployment in difficult terrain and forward operational areas.
The Ministry of Defence said the acquisition would improve India’s ability to monitor low-level airspace and respond to emerging threats. Delivery timelines and the exact number of radar systems covered by the contract were not immediately disclosed.