Key Highlights
- BEL inks a ₹2,906 crore agreement with the Ministry of Defence for the Ashwini low‑level transportable radar.
- The system, co‑developed by DRDO’s LRDE and BEL, utilizes solid‑state phased‑array technology.
- Capable of detecting high‑speed fighters, helicopters and low‑RCS drones, with built‑in IFF and ECCM modules.
- Designed for rapid deployment across varied terrains, reinforcing India’s self‑reliant defence agenda.
- This contract follows a ₹577 crore order for multiple electronic warfare and communication solutions.
Detailed Insights
The Ministry of Defence finalized a ₹2,906 crore deal on 14 March 2025, witnessed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The Ashwini LLTR (Low‑Level Transportable Radar) integrates an active electronically scanned phased‑array antenna, delivering 4‑dimensional surveillance—range, azimuth, elevation and velocity. Its solid‑state architecture guarantees high reliability and swift target acquisition, covering both supersonic combat aircraft and slower platforms such as UAVs and helicopters.
Key to its survivability are Electronic Counter‑Countermeasures (ECCM) that mitigate hostile jamming, and an Integrated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) subsystem that distinguishes friendly assets in congested airspace. Mobility is achieved through a modular chassis, allowing the radar to be air‑lifted or towed across deserts, mountains or coastal regions, thereby expanding the Indian Air Force's situational awareness.
Strategically, the acquisition reduces dependence on foreign radar imports, aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, and signals a maturing indigenous defence industrial base. It also marks BEL’s second sizeable contract within a week, the earlier ₹577 crore package covering airborne EW suites, underwater communication gear, Doppler weather radars, train‑to‑ground systems, and radar upgrade services.
Key Concepts
- Solid‑State Phased‑Array Radar: A radar that employs semiconductor transmit/receive modules, enabling electronic beam steering without mechanical movement.
- Integrated IFF (Identification Friend or Foe): A subsystem that transmits and receives coded signals to classify contacts as allied or hostile.
- ECCM (Electronic Counter‑Countermeasures): Techniques and hardware that protect radar performance against adversary jamming and deception.
- 4D Surveillance: Monitoring that captures range, azimuth, elevation, and velocity of targets simultaneously.
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat: India’s self‑reliance initiative aimed at fostering domestic production across strategic sectors.