BEL Gets ₹770 Crore Order for Improved Army Lightweight Radars

The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth about ₹770 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in New Delhi on Wednesday, 21 October, for Improved Low Level Light Weight Radars, known as LLLR(I), for the Indian Army. The ministry said the signing took place in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The radars are meant to help the Army detect and counter aerial threats, including drones.

Radars Built to Spot Fighters and Mini Drones

According to the ministry, the radars can detect and track fighter-sized targets as well as mini and micro drones, and can rank aerial targets by priority. The ministry said the capability will help the Army deal with threats from unmanned aerial systems.

The announcement does not give the number of radars or a delivery schedule. Both details are still unstated in the public release.

Indigenous Order, Local Supply Chain

The ministry described the purchase as a step to strengthen indigenous air-defence platforms and the domestic defence manufacturing base, including micro, small and medium enterprises. It linked the deal to the government’s goal of a self-reliant defence industry under its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

BEL is a public sector company and has supplied radars to the armed forces before. In March 2025 the ministry signed a ₹2,906 crore contract with BEL for the Low Level Transportable Radar, Ashwini, for the Indian Air Force. The new contract is separate and covers lightweight Army radars.

Deliveries Still to Be Announced

The ministry has not said when the first radars will reach the Army or how many units the order covers. Further detail is expected only if the ministry or BEL releases it. For related coverage, see the Daily Updates section.

Source: Ministry of Defence release (PIB). Also based on reporting by Delhi News Live and Upstox.

Image: Delhi News Live / Ministry of Defence.