The Defence Ministry signed a ₹770 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) on Wednesday to procure Improved Low Level Light Weight Radars (LLLR‑I) for the Indian Army. The agreement, signed in New Delhi, was witnessed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The radars will detect and track fighter‑sized aircraft as well as mini and micro drones, strengthening the Army’s air‑defence against unmanned aerial systems.

The LLLR‑I system can prioritise aerial targets, enabling the Army to counter threats posed by unmanned aerial systems. It is designed to detect and track fighter‑sized targets and mini and micro drones, providing a comprehensive surveillance capability at low altitudes. The lightweight design allows rapid deployment across diverse terrains, enhancing operational flexibility for ground forces.

The procurement is a step toward indigenisation of air‑defence platforms and is expected to boost India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The ministry said the acquisition aligns with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and aims to build a resilient, self‑reliant and globally competitive Defence Industry.

The latest contract follows the Defence Ministry’s recent agreements worth ₹4,106 crore for a dedicated communication satellite for the Indian Air Force and Varunastra heavy‑weight torpedoes for the Indian Navy. Earlier on October 15, the ministry signed a ₹2,563 crore contract with Bengaluru‑based NewSpace India Ltd for the GSAT‑7C satellite and a ₹1,543 crore agreement with Hyderabad‑headquartered Bharat Dynamics Ltd for Varunastra torpedoes.

The indigenously designed, developed and manufactured GSAT‑7C satellite is intended to provide dedicated communication capabilities to the IAF, enhancing the secure, resilient & seamless communication capabilities of its assets. Varunastra, an indigenous ship‑launched anti‑submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, is equipped with advanced manoeuvring capabilities and can engage enemy submarines at long ranges, strengthening the Navy’s anti‑submarine warfare capability.