In a major boost to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Govt, MoD on 23 March 2023 signed a contract with M/s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the supply of Medium Power Radars for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of Rs 2841 Crores, under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
The Medium Power Radar has been indigenously designed and developed by DRDO and will be manufactured by M/s BEL. Successful trials of the radar have already been conducted by the Indian Air Force.
MPR Radar is a 4D multi-function phased array radar with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation. It would be employed for detection and tracking of aerial targets. The system will also have the capability to identify targets based on an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system.
Another Contract was signed with M/s Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru for acquisition of 129 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) at an overall cost of Rs 947 Crores under the Buy-Indian (IDDM) Category.
The state of the art RWRs are Designed and Developed by Combat Air System- Design & Integration Centre (CASDIC), DRDO. The equipment will be manufactured by M/s BEL under Transfer of Technology (TOT) from CASDIC.
The RWR will considerably enhance the Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities of our fighter aircraft. With the majority of sub-assemblies & parts sourced from indigenous manufacturers, the RWR will be a significant leap forward in developing EW capabilities within the country, in consonance with the make-in-India initiatives of the Government of India.
The two projects will act as catalysts for the development of manufacturing capability in the industrial ecosystem. The projects essentially embody the spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and will help facilitate realizing our country’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.