In a major development for the defence sector, the Ministry of Defence on Friday (July 25) signed a contract worth Rs 2,000 crore with Navaratna PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The Rs 2000 crore contract, including taxes, is for the supply of state-of-the-art Air Defence Fire Control Radars to the Indian Army.
Signed under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category, the contract was inked and exchanged by senior officials of MoD and BEL in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi.
What is ATULYA: BEL’s flagship Air Defence Fire Control Radar?
Bharat Electronics’ flagship Air Defence Fire Control Radar, named Atulya, is a system aimed at offering safety and protection against any air attacks. It is often integrated with Anti-Aircraft Guns. According to the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR) creates a ground-based air defence system.
This mechanism is designed to provide effective protection against airborne threats at short and very short ranges. Further, this capability extends to both day and night operations, functioning reliably in all weather conditions. BEL’s ATULYA is equipped with built-in electronic countermeasure capabilities and is employed for surveillance, target acquisition, air target tracking, and control operations.
ATULYA features a 3D search radar with an X-Band active array antenna, a Ka-Band tracking radar, electro-optical sensors for passive 2D tracking, a laser rangefinder for independent distance measurement, a gun control unit, a power generator, and a command cabin.
All of this is mounted on a single high-mobility vehicle. Notably, this advanced system can simultaneously control more than two guns.
What are these Fire Control Radars Capable of?
With a minimum 70% indigenous content, these Fire Control Radars will be able to detect all forms of air-borne threats, including fighter aircraft, attack helicopters and enemy drones. This would mark a significant milestone in the modernisation of the Air Defence Regiments and enhance the Indian Army’s operational readiness.
All of this while also contributing to the economic growth of the nation. India’s Army’s latest deal with BEL also marks a pivotal step towards empowering indigenous defence industries by encouraging Indian MSMEs through components’ manufacturing and raw material supply.
Does BEL also manufacture any other Fire Control Radars?
Yes. Leading defence PSU Bharat Electronics is also engaged the manufactures two more fire control radars – Compact Tactical Fire Control Radar(CTFCR) and All Weather Low Level Air Defence Weapon Control System.
The Compact Tactical Fire Control Radar (CTFCR) is derived from the X-Band Active Phased Array Radar (X-APAR) and is mounted on a versatile 4×4 Light Specialist Vehicle suitable for all terrains. This system is equipped with a 3D AESA-based search and track radar, electro-optical sensors (including CCD and TI cameras) for passive target tracking, a laser rangefinder for independent distance measurement, a dedicated power supply, and an operator cabin fully fitted for mission control.
In addition, the all-weather low-level Air Defence Weapon Control System integrates radar, computing, and display technologies to counter the threat of enemy electronic countermeasure-protected air missions at very low altitudes.
This highly mobile, land-based system operates autonomously, combining search and track radar capabilities to handle increasingly sophisticated low-flying, high-speed aircraft threats. It delivers reliable performance in all weather conditions, offering rapid detection, clear tracking, swift calculation of lead angles, robust counter-countermeasure features.