New Delhi, October 23, 2026: The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth approximately ₹770 crore with government-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure advanced lightweight surveillance radars for the Indian Army. The systems are designed to detect and track fighter-sized aerial targets and small drones, strengthening the Army’s ability to monitor low-flying threats.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi on October 21 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The procurement covers Improved Low Level Light Weight Radars (LLLR-I), which can detect mini and micro drones in addition to larger aerial targets.
According to the Defence Ministry, the radars can also prioritise aerial targets, helping Army personnel identify potential threats that require attention. The capability is intended to strengthen surveillance against unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as drones.
BEL’s published specifications describe the improved radar as using four fixed antenna panels to provide 360-degree surveillance coverage. The system can also transmit target information to connected air-defence weapons through wired or wireless communication links.
Unlike weapons designed to intercept or destroy drones, these radars provide detection and tracking information to support air-defence operations.
The lightweight systems are designed for deployment across different terrains, including plains, deserts and high-altitude regions. Their transportable design allows them to support surveillance operations in areas where larger radar installations may be difficult to position.
Low-level surveillance is particularly important for detecting smaller aircraft and drones operating close to the ground, where terrain and other obstacles can complicate detection.
The Defence Ministry said the procurement would support the development of indigenous air-defence platforms and strengthen India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
BEL is a public-sector defence electronics manufacturer that supplies radar, communication and other electronic systems to the Indian armed forces.
The ministry has not disclosed the number of radar systems covered by the contract, their delivery schedule or the locations where they will be deployed. The agreement confirms the procurement, but does not establish that the systems have already been delivered or inducted into Army service.
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