Defence Ministry signs ₹770 crore BEL deal for low-level surveillance radars for Army

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹ 770 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure Improved Low Level Light Weight Radar (LLLR-I) for the Indian Army on Wednesday.

According to the statement released by the ministry, the LLLR(I) system has the capability to detect and track fighter size targets and mini/micro drones as well as prioritising aerial targets. The radars would enable the armed forces to counter the threat of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

The ministry said the procurement would mark a significant step towards indigenisation of air-defence platforms while bolstering the country’s defence manufacturing sector — including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) — to become self-reliant and globally competitive.