Defence Ministry inks Rs 3,700 crore contracts with BEL for Medium Power Radars ‘Arudhra’ & 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers

New Delhi, March 24, 2023 

Defence Ministry on Thursday signed two separate contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), at a total cost of over Rs 3,700 crore, to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force. 

The first contract, worth over Rs 2,800 crore, pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) ‘Arudhra’. The second contract, at an overall cost of approximately Rs 950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR). 

Both projects are under Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category. 

The MPR  radar has been indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will be manufactured by BEL. IAF has already carried out successful trials of the radar. 

Anuradha 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 DR-118 Radar Warning Receiver will considerably enhance the Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities of Su-30 MKI aircraft. The majority of sub-assemblies and parts will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers.  The project will boost and encourage active participation of Indian Electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs. It will generate employment of approximately two lakh man-days over a period of three and half years, the Defence Ministry said in a release.

NNN