The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth approximately ₹770 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of Improved Low Level Light Weight Radars (LLLR-I) for the Indian Army.
The contract was signed in New Delhi on October 21, 2026, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, according to an official announcement by the ministry.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
The contract is valued at approximately ₹770 crore.
Bharat Electronics Limited will supply the Improved Low Level Light Weight Radars.
The systems are being procured for the Indian Army.
The radars can detect and track fighter-sized targets and mini and micro drones.
The system can prioritise aerial targets.
The procurement supports India's focus on indigenous air-defence platforms and domestic defence manufacturing.
The LLLR-I system can detect and track fighter-sized aerial targets as well as mini and micro drones. It also has the capability to prioritise aerial targets, which the ministry said would help the Army counter threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The procurement is part of the government's efforts to strengthen indigenous air-defence platforms and support domestic defence manufacturing. The ministry said the initiative would also benefit India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The contract represents a procurement step towards strengthening the Indian Army's aerial surveillance capabilities. However, the ministry's announcement did not specify the number of radars being procured or the expected delivery schedule.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The procurement is relevant to the Indian Army's efforts to monitor a range of aerial threats, including small drones. The ability to detect, track and prioritise aerial targets can provide useful information for air-defence operations. The contract also supports India's domestic defence manufacturing sector through an order placed with a public-sector defence electronics company. The ministry has highlighted the potential benefits for the wider manufacturing ecosystem, including MSMEs.
