NEW DELHI, March 31, 2026 — The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a capital acquisition contract worth ₹1,950 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of two advanced Mountain Radar systems for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The agreement, finalised in New Delhi on the last day of the financial year 2025–26, covers the manufacturing, supply, installation, and commissioning of the radar systems, along with associated equipment, logistics support, and forward deployment infrastructure.
The procurement has been executed under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) [Indian-IDDM] category, in line with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The project follows the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) granted by the Defence Acquisition Council in August 2025 for the induction of Mountain Radars into the IAF.
Strategic Deployment in High-Altitude Regions
The two radar systems will be deployed in Gulmarg (Jammu and Kashmir) and Pfütsero (Nagaland), targeting critical gaps in air surveillance along India’s northern and northeastern borders. These locations are characterized by complex mountainous terrain, including deep valleys, steep ridgelines, and harsh weather conditions that limit the effectiveness of conventional radar systems.
The Mountain Radars are specifically designed to operate in such environments, ensuring reliable surveillance coverage and enhancing early warning capabilities in strategically sensitive sectors.
Advanced Capabilities for Air Surveillance
The Mountain Radar is a fixed, medium-power 4D surveillance system based on a modified version of the Arudhra radar, adapted for high-altitude operations. It incorporates Active Aperture Phased Array (AESA) technology and operates in both rotation and staring modes.
In rotation mode, the radar provides 360-degree azimuth coverage at speeds of 7.5 or 15 revolutions per minute, with an elevation coverage of 30 degrees. In staring mode, it focuses on a fixed azimuth sector of ±60 degrees, maintaining the same elevation coverage.
The system has an instrumented range of 400 km and can detect targets with a radar cross-section of 2 square metres at distances up to 300 km. It offers altitude coverage ranging from 100 metres to 30 km, enabling detection and tracking across a wide operational envelope.
Designed to address radar shadow zones, the system enhances detection of low-flying aerial threats that may otherwise evade conventional radar coverage. It is capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously, including fighter aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, while determining parameters such as range, azimuth, altitude, and velocity vectors.
The radar uses S-band solid-state transceiver modules and supports track-while-scan functionality, allowing continuous monitoring of multiple airborne objects.
Integration into IAF’s Network-Centric Operations
The Mountain Radar systems will function as critical nodes within the IAF’s integrated air defence network, bridging coverage gaps between low-level and long-range surveillance systems. This integration is expected to improve situational awareness, reduce response times, and strengthen command and control capabilities.
The systems are engineered to maintain operational reliability in thin air conditions, rugged terrain, and variable weather, ensuring sustained performance in high-altitude deployments.
Indigenous Development and Industrial Participation
The radar systems have been indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a Bengaluru-based laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
BEL will serve as the prime contractor, responsible for manufacturing, system integration, supply, installation, and lifecycle logistics support. The project also involves participation from a network of domestic suppliers, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to component manufacturing and raw material supply.
Strengthening Domestic Defence Capability
According to defence ministry officials, the induction of these Mountain Radars will enhance India’s air defence architecture, particularly in terrain where surveillance limitations have persisted. The programme is also expected to contribute to the development of domestic technological capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign-origin military systems.
The contract represents a continuation of India’s efforts to expand indigenous defence production while reinforcing operational preparedness in geographically challenging regions.
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