Article Posted on : - Dec 07, 2010

A BEL Indra II Radar Installation from an airfield. Photo: BEL

NEW DELHI (PTI): Defence Ministry is examining the issue of defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) procuring radars from foreign sources instead of developing them indigenously, the Lok Sabha was informed Monday.

The matter was first raised by the CAG in its report tabled in August this year which states that BEL was given an order of Rs 870 crore for 22 surveillance radars but instead of producing them indigenously, the company used 60 per cent of imported content to make them.

"The issue raised is under examination in the department. The decision taken will be placed before the Parliament," Defence Minister A K Antony said in reply to a written House query.

BEL is the major supplier of radars and other surveillance equipment to the Indian armed forces which include the indigenously-developed INDRA radar.

Answering another query, the Minister said Indian Coast Guard has apprehended 338 foreign fishing vessels and 2,271 crew members on them in the last three years.