JULY 25: In a significant stride towards self-reliance in defence, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹2,000 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on July 25, 2025, for the procurement of state-of-the-art Air Defence Fire Control Radars (ADFCR) for the Indian Army. The agreement falls under the ‘Buy (Indian – Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)’ category, aligning strongly with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The contract was formally signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, with senior officials from both MoD and BEL attending the ceremony. These advanced radar systems are designed to detect and track a wide range of airborne threats — including fighter jets, attack helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) — significantly enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Army’s Air Defence Regiments.
With a minimum of 70% indigenous content, the radars are a testament to India’s growing technological capability in defence manufacturing. The systems will play a crucial role in strengthening the Army’s ability to protect its strategic assets and forward areas from aerial attacks.
This development is also expected to provide a major boost to domestic defence industries. A large portion of the radar system’s components will be sourced from Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), promoting local manufacturing and innovation. The deal reflects the government’s focus on building a self-sufficient defence ecosystem while stimulating job creation and technological advancement.
The project reinforces India’s commitment to modernising its defence infrastructure with homegrown solutions. It also underlines the collaborative efforts between public sector giants like BEL and the Indian defence establishment in achieving strategic autonomy.
This milestone not only advances India’s defence readiness but also represents a broader economic push, showcasing how national security initiatives can align with industrial growth under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
 signed a ₹2,000 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on July 25, 2025){kind=link}