Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a capital acquisition contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of two Mountain Radars, along with associated equipment and required infrastructure for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This contract, valued at approximately Rs 1,950 crore falls under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category.
What is Buy (Indian – IDDM) Procurement Category?
- It is highest priority category under India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).
- It mandates that equipment must be designed, developed, and manufactured within India, ensuring maximum indigenous value addition.
- It aims at directly strengthening the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India in Defence.
About Mountain Radar
Indigenously Designed & Developed By: Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a premier laboratory under DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).
Manufacturer: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a leading Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence.
Strategic Importance
The procurement of these Mountain Radars is significant for India’s national security on multiple fronts:
- Boosting Air Defence: The installation and commissioning of these radars will significantly enhance India’s air surveillance and air defence capabilities, especially in mountainous and challenging terrains.
- Strengthening National Security: Mountain Radars are critical for monitoring airspace in high-altitude border regions, particularly along India’s northern and northeastern frontiers.
- Reducing Import Dependency: The contract will reduce India’s reliance on foreign defence equipment, a key objective of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.