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      IAF and BEL team up for ₹3,700 crore domestic defence equipment contarct

      PostPicture Credits: pbs.twimg.com

      The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed two contracts worth over Rs 3,700 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to acquire domestically produced defense equipment. The aim is to improve the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

      According to a statement by IAF, “The first contract, worth over ₹2,800 crore, pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) ‘Arudhra’ for the Indian Air Force. The second contract, at an overall cost of approx. ₹950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR).”

      The Indian Air Force (IAF) has said that the newly acquired equipment will improve their surveillance, detection, tracking, and electronic warfare capabilities. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a defence public sector undertaking that primarily produces defence electronics, is the supplier of this equipment.

      The two projects fall under the Buy {Indian - IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category, which is aimed at promoting self-sufficiency in defense production.

      The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reported that the Arudhra radar, which has already undergone successful trials, was developed domestically by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and will be produced by BEL. The force further added, “It is a 4D multi-function phased array radar with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation for surveillance, detection and tracking of aerial targets. The system will have target identification based on interrogations from co-located Identification Friend or Foe system.”

      The Indian Air Force (IAF) has explained that the Radar Warning Receivers (DR-118) will “considerably enhance the Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities of Su-30 MKI aircraft. Majority of sub-assemblies and parts will be sourced for indigenous manufacturers.”

      These projects will serve as a catalyst for the growth of manufacturing capabilities in the industrial ecosystem.

      The Indian Air Force (IAF) has stated that these projects will promote and incentivise the involvement of Indian electronics and related industries, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The IAF has also estimated that the projects will generate approximately two lakh man-days of employment over a period of three and a half years.