New Delhi: The Ministry of Defense on Tuesday signed the $A Rs 1,950-crore deal with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to supply the Indian Air Force with two mountain radars, associated equipment and required infrastructure, to strengthen the country’s air defences.
This contract is considered the last capital acquisition contract for the fiscal year 2025-2026.
This radar has been indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Organization of DRDO and will be manufactured by BEL. The Ministry of Defense said: “The installation and operation of these radars will strengthen the country’s air defense and enhance national security. The purchase will also reduce dependence on foreign equipment.”
The contract was signed under the procurement category (Indian-IDDM). This is the most important acquisition category for localization under the Defense Procurement Policy. IDDM stands for in-house design, development and manufacturing.
According to official data, capital purchase contracts amounted to $2.28 lakh crores were signed for 503 proposals during 2025-26. Also, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) approved Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 55 proposals worth up to $6.73 lakh crore during that period. “The volume of contracts awarded and capital contracts signed to date has been the highest in any given fiscal year,” the Department of Defense said last week.
The DAC, headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday approved strengthening the military capability $2.38 lakh crore to supply the country’s armed forces with more Russian-origin S-400 Triumf air defense systems, remotely piloted attack aircraft, transport aircraft, artillery guns and tank ammunition.
