New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved deals worth approximately Rs 13,000 crore for the acquisition of new high-power radars and close-in weapon systems (CIWS) from Larsen and Toubro (L&T). The approval of these deals will further bolster the Indian Air Force’s surveillance and defence capabilities along the borders with China and Pakistan.

The acquisition of the radars by the Indian Air Force under a project worth around Rs 6,000 crore are intended to replace and enhance the current network of radars along the borders. This move aims to strengthen India’s radar coverage in strategic areas. The clearance of indigenous Close-in Weapon System project worth around Rs 7,000 crore, based on a derivative of air defence guns will provide strong protection to vital assets and points against attacks by drones and aircraft. This system aims to offer robust defence for vital assets against drone and aircraft threats.

Contributing to the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, the new radars and Close-in Weapon Systems will be manufactured by Larsen and Toubro in collaboration with several Indian small and medium enterprises and the initiative is expected to generate a significant number of employment opportunities in the defence sector.

The government has been focusing on indigenous defence manufacturing as India plans to install a large number of radars along its borders in phases. The next phase of radar acquisition will focus on completely indigenous solutions, further strengthening the country’s surveillance capabilities. The government is expected to clear more made-in-India acquisitions in the Defence Acquisition Council and other levels in the near future.

The IAF is focusing on fully indigenous systems in the next phase to ensure comprehensive area coverage. The radar project has been cleared at a time when India has plans to strengthen its radar coverage all along its borders with both its northern and western adversaries.

A collaborative effort between the Air Force and the Indian Army, the inception of the CIWS project dates back to a few years ago following the detection of drones near a sensitive location by security agencies, underscoring the need for a close-in weapon system to provide protection.