File photo for representation.
New Delhi: The Bharat Electronics Limited has secured a ₹850 crore contract from the Cochin Shipyard Limited for the supply of indigenous multifunction radar (MFR) systems for the Indian Navy’s warships that the CSL is building and upgrading. This is a part of the ₹1,155 crore worth of contracts the BEL bagged for various items, the company announced on Tuesday.
The X-Band MFR, designed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and manufactured by BEL, is expected to enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities significantly. This state-of-the-art radar system boasts advanced target detection, acquisition, and tracking features, crucial for protecting naval vessels in diverse maritime environments.
This procurement is part of a broader initiative to modernize the Navy’s fleet with cutting-edge indigenous technology. The MFR’s ability to perform effectively across various sea conditions makes it an invaluable asset for safeguarding India’s maritime interests, particularly in the strategic Indian Ocean region (IOR).
The contract not only cements BEL’s position as a key player in India’s defence ecosystem but also propels its order book for the current fiscal year to an impressive ₹7,075 crore. This development showcases the successful collaboration between public sector enterprises and research institutions in realizing the vision of self-reliance in the defence sector.
BEL, a “Navratna” defence public sector undertaking (DPSU), has consistently been at the forefront of developing and delivering advanced electronic systems for the Indian armed forces. The CSL, which is also a government-run shipbuilding company, is also one of the top builders of the Navy’s warships. Only this week, it launched two shallow-water anti-submarine warships (ASW-SWC) for sea trials on a single day, as India Sentinels reported.
The indigenization of the MFR system demonstrates the capability of Indian engineers and scientists to produce defence equipment that meets international standards.
