Indian Navy, Coast Guard to get 11 Airport Surveillance Radars as Defence Ministry inks pact with Mahindra Telephonics

In a major boost to the defence forces of the nation, the Ministry of Defence has inked a Rs 323.47 crore contract to procure 11 Airport Surveillance Radars with Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.

The contract was signed with Mumbai-based Mahindra Telephonics Integrated Systems Limited under the ‘Buy & Make’ category. Under this category, an initial procurement of equipment in Fully Formed (FF) state is done from a foreign enterprise, then in a phased manner, indigenous production is done by an Indian Production Agency (PA), which involves Transfer of Technology (ToT) of critical technologies such as specified range, depth and scope, to the production agency.

The installation of these radars will enhance the air domain awareness around airfields and increase safety and efficiency in flying operations of the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.

“The signing of this contract is an achievement of the government towards ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat



Abhiyan’ and the objectives envisaged in the programme. This would enable absorption of technology, skill development and indigenous manufacture, boosting employment opportunities, the Defence Ministry said in an official statement.

Key Takeaways:

The monopulse secondary surveillance radars are considered to be more precise in comparison to the conventional ones when the aircraft are in close proximity.

The deal has been done under the ‘Buy and Make’ category of defence procurement, which is in line with AtmaNirbhar Bharat initiative.

The category focuses on initial equipment purchase from a foreign entity, followed by indigenous production through an Indian company in a phased manner involving ‘Transfer of Technology’ of critical technologies.

The pact between the Ministry of Defence and Mahindra Telephonics Integrated Systems Limited will be an imperative step towards achieving the self-reliance objectives envisaged by the union government.