Article Posted on : - Mar 24, 2023

The contracts being awarded to BEL. (Photo: MoD)

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Defence Ministry (MoD) has signed two separate contracts with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), at a total cost of over Rs 3,700 crore, to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The first contract, worth over Rs 2,800 crore, pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) 'Arudhra' for the IAF.

The second contract, at an overall cost of appx. Rs 950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR).

Both projects are under the Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category.

"These essentially embody the spirit of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and will help facilitate the realisation of the country's journey to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing," the MoD said in a statement.

MPR 'Arudhra' has been indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will be manufactured by BEL. Its successful trials have already been conducted by the Indian Air Force.

It is a 4D multi-function phased array radar with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation for surveillance, detection and tracking of aerial targets. The system will have target identification based on interrogations from co-located Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system.

The DR-118 RWR will considerably enhance the Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities of Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.

Majority of sub-assemblies and parts of the RWR will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers. The project will boost and encourage active participation of Indian Electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs. It will generate employment of approx. two lakh man-days over a period of three and half years.

"The DR-118 RWR is a significant leap forward in developing indigenous EW capabilities and making the country 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence," the statement read.