The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth approximately Rs 770 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of Improved Low-Level Lightweight Radar (LLLR-I) systems for the Indian Army. The contract was signed in New Delhi on October 21, 2026, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

The LLLR-I system is capable of detecting and tracking fighter-sized aerial targets as well as mini and micro drones. It also features the ability to prioritise aerial targets, enhancing the Indian Army’s capabilities to counter threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

The procurement marks a significant step towards strengthening the indigenisation of air defence platforms and boosting domestic defence manufacturing. It aligns with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and is expected to support the broader defence manufacturing ecosystem, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The initiative also aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence production and build a resilient, globally competitive domestic defence industry.