BEL contract enhances India’s capability to identify fighter-class aircraft and combat micro and mini drones.
India’s Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth around Rs 770 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure Improved Low-Level Weight Radars (LLLR-I) for the Indian Army. Revealed on 21 October 2026, the radar system can identify and track fighter-sized air targets, along with micro and mini-drones. The radar can also prioritise aerial threats, allowing for a quicker threat- and air-defence response.
The acquisition aims to strengthen the Army’s ability to counter emerging unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats, which have become an important concern in modern warfare. The agreement also advances India’s defence-indigenisation goals by facilitating the domestic defence industry and opening up opportunities for micro-, small, and medium-scale enterprises. The procurement is yet another initiative to enhance India’s layered air-defence architecture with indigenous sensor technology.
