Defence ministry inks ₹1,220 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited for Coast Guard radios

The Ministry of Defence on Thursday signed a ₹1,220.12 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of 149 Software Defined Radios for the Indian Coast Guard.

The contract, awarded under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category, will equip the Coast Guard with state-of-the-art communication systems, enhancing secure and reliable data sharing, high-speed voice communication, and overall situational awareness.

“This will strengthen the Indian Coast Guard's capability to fulfil its core responsibilities, including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, fisheries protection, and marine environment protection. Additionally, these radios will enhance interoperability for joint operations with the Indian Navy,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

The project is in line with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ push, supporting domestic manufacturing of advanced military-grade communication systems and generating employment opportunities in the defence sector.

This deal comes on the heels of the defence ministry’s recent contracts worth ₹10,147 crore with Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), Munitions India Limited (MIL), and BEL for procuring advanced rockets and software upgrades for the PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

As part of that procurement, EEL and MIL will supply Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 (DPICM) and High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets, respectively, while BEL will upgrade the SHAKTI software.

ADM Type-1, fitted with a specialised warhead, is designed to deploy a quantum of sub-munitions over a large area, targeting mechanised forces and personnel. Meanwhile, the HEPF Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets offer extended range and precision for deep strikes.

Last month, the ministry signed a ₹2,960 crore deal with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) for the Indian Navy, expected to generate about 3.5 lakh man-days of employment in the defence sector.

In December, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) secured a ₹7,628.70 crore contract for 155mm/52 calibre K9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns. The additional K9 Vajra-T guns, produced with technology transfer from South Korea’s Hanwha Techwin, will enhance the Army’s operational readiness in high-altitude regions such as Ladakh.

In November, the ministry inked a ₹13,500 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 12 Su-30MKI aircraft, incorporating 62.6% indigenous content. The aircraft will be produced at HAL’s Nasik division as part of India's continued push for defence indigenisation.