Bharat Electronics bags ₹2,906 crore contract from defence ministry for ‘Ashwini’ radar

The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a ₹2,906 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the supply of Low-level Transportable Radar (LLTR) ‘Ashwini’ to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The LLTR (Ashwini), an active electronically scanned phased array radar, has been indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (ERDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Built using cutting-edge solid-state technology, the radar is capable of tracking a wide range of aerial targets, from high-speed fighter jets to slow-moving objects like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters.

“Its acquisition will significantly enhance the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

“The programme is a major step towards achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing by reducing dependency on Foreign Origin Equipment Manufacturers besides acting as a catalyst for the development of defence industrial ecosystem in the country,” it added.

The contract follows a series of recent deals with BEL to boost domestic defence production.

Last month, the ministry inked a ₹1,220.12 crore contract with BEL for supplying 149 Software Defined Radios (SDRs) to the Indian Coast Guard under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category.

These advanced communication systems are designed to enhance secure data sharing, high-speed voice communication, and situational awareness for the Coast Guard, strengthening its capabilities in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and environmental protection.

The SDR project also facilitates interoperability with the Indian Navy during joint operations.

Earlier this year, the ministry awarded contracts worth ₹10,147 crore to Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), Munitions India Limited (MIL), and BEL for advanced rockets and software upgrades for the PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

These included Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 rockets, designed to target mechanised forces, and High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets for extended range and precision strikes.