After Op Sindoor, Army boosts air surveillance with Rs 725 crore radar bid
The move comes on the back of an enhanced capital outlay in the latest defence budget, aimed at expediting modernisation and critical acquisitions. Officials say the renewed procurement drive underscores the Army's intent to plug surveillance gaps and strengthen readiness in the wake of recent operations.
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army has accelerated its push to strengthen air surveillance and battlefield preparedness, reflecting a sharper operational focus following recent security challenges.
As part of this momentum, the Defence Ministry has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 30 Low-Level Lightweight Radars, a deal estimated to be worth around Rs 725 crore. The radars will be acquired through the Fast Track Procurement (FTP) route to meet urgent operational requirements.
The move comes on the back of an enhanced capital outlay in the latest defence budget, aimed at expediting modernisation and critical acquisitions. Officials say the renewed procurement drive underscores the Army’s intent to plug surveillance gaps and strengthen readiness in the wake of recent operations.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a key initial step in India’s defence procurement process, through which the Ministry of Defence invites bids from prospective vendors, laying out the technical specifications and commercial terms for acquiring equipment.
The new radars are intended for use across a wide range of terrains, including mountains, high altitudes, plains, semi-deserts, deserts, and coastal areas. Their versatility is crucial for deployment in various operational theatres, enhancing the Army’s capacity to monitor and respond to aerial threats in diverse environments.
Integration with existing systems is a key requirement for the LLLR-I. The radars must be compatible with the Akashteer Command and Reporting module, including necessary gateway hardware and inbuilt software, and must satisfy the Army Cyber Group’s criteria for secure connection to the Army Data Network.
Functioning as advanced air surveillance units, the LLLR-I systems are expected to scan airspace to detect, track, and prioritise aerial targets. The RFP specifies that the radars must be capable of tracking at least hundreds of targets simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive coverage over critical areas.
The technical requirements also include the ability to assign at least twenty tracks at the same time to a minimum of ten command posts or weapon systems equipped with Target Data Receivers, positioned up to 20 km from each radar. The system should support connectivity through line, radio, or radio relay, and be expandable to accommodate up to twenty receivers.
To encourage local industry participation, the RFP mandates that a minimum of sixty per cent of the content in the radars must be indigenous. This stipulation is in line with broader efforts to promote domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
Delivery timelines are clearly established, with the first batch of fifteen LLLR-I systems and one Command and Reporting Vehicle required within twelve months of advance payment, and the remaining units to be supplied over the following six months.
Reliability and longevity are emphasised, with equipment expected to have a minimum service life of ten years. Bidders must provide detailed reliability models, predictions, and validation from designers or manufacturers to demonstrate sustained performance throughout the operational life of the systems.
The LLLR-I package will include a search radar, Commander’s Display Unit, Target Designation System, and Power Supply Unit. Comprehensive training for operators, trainers, and maintenance staff is required, with maintenance training to be held three to six months before the end of the warranty period of the first delivered systems.
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army has accelerated its push to strengthen air surveillance and battlefield preparedness, reflecting a sharper operational focus following recent security challenges.
As part of this momentum, the Defence Ministry has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 30 Low-Level Lightweight Radars, a deal estimated to be worth around Rs 725 crore. The radars will be acquired through the Fast Track Procurement (FTP) route to meet urgent operational requirements.
The move comes on the back of an enhanced capital outlay in the latest defence budget, aimed at expediting modernisation and critical acquisitions. Officials say the renewed procurement drive underscores the Army’s intent to plug surveillance gaps and strengthen readiness in the wake of recent operations.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a key initial step in India’s defence procurement process, through which the Ministry of Defence invites bids from prospective vendors, laying out the technical specifications and commercial terms for acquiring equipment.
The new radars are intended for use across a wide range of terrains, including mountains, high altitudes, plains, semi-deserts, deserts, and coastal areas. Their versatility is crucial for deployment in various operational theatres, enhancing the Army’s capacity to monitor and respond to aerial threats in diverse environments.
Integration with existing systems is a key requirement for the LLLR-I. The radars must be compatible with the Akashteer Command and Reporting module, including necessary gateway hardware and inbuilt software, and must satisfy the Army Cyber Group’s criteria for secure connection to the Army Data Network.
Functioning as advanced air surveillance units, the LLLR-I systems are expected to scan airspace to detect, track, and prioritise aerial targets. The RFP specifies that the radars must be capable of tracking at least hundreds of targets simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive coverage over critical areas.
The technical requirements also include the ability to assign at least twenty tracks at the same time to a minimum of ten command posts or weapon systems equipped with Target Data Receivers, positioned up to 20 km from each radar. The system should support connectivity through line, radio, or radio relay, and be expandable to accommodate up to twenty receivers.
To encourage local industry participation, the RFP mandates that a minimum of sixty per cent of the content in the radars must be indigenous. This stipulation is in line with broader efforts to promote domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
Delivery timelines are clearly established, with the first batch of fifteen LLLR-I systems and one Command and Reporting Vehicle required within twelve months of advance payment, and the remaining units to be supplied over the following six months.
Reliability and longevity are emphasised, with equipment expected to have a minimum service life of ten years. Bidders must provide detailed reliability models, predictions, and validation from designers or manufacturers to demonstrate sustained performance throughout the operational life of the systems.
The LLLR-I package will include a search radar, Commander’s Display Unit, Target Designation System, and Power Supply Unit. Comprehensive training for operators, trainers, and maintenance staff is required, with maintenance training to be held three to six months before the end of the warranty period of the first delivered systems.