New Delhi. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth Rs 591.34 crore with Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies Ltd (ADTL) for the upgrade/ digitisation of 16 Russian versions of Pechora Missile and Radar Systems.

Pechora Systems, in service at present, are already 30 plus years old and there are lots of obsolescence and spares / repair / maintenance problems, which will be solved by the upgradation. The project will be undertaken by Alpha Design in partnership with Russia and would be completed in four years time.

The upgradation will have large number of Indigenously developed equipment, such as Radar Transmitter, Thermal Imager-based Electro Optical System, communication equipment, upgradation of drive chain, Control Cabin, Shelters, Cables, etc., The upgradation project is in the true spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission of the Ministry of Defence towards making the concept of ‘Make in India’ a success.

Notably, ADTL has won the upgradation project against the stiff competition from Bharat Electronics Ltd, Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Reliance and Kinetics. ADTL also expects that by undertaking this upgradation successfully it can bag additional contract of eight other Missile and Radar Systems under “Option” clause of the contract.

Col. HS Shankar, VSM (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), ADTL speaking on the development said that this project is of national importance and, in the years to come, ADTL along with other Indian industries will undertake upgradation indigenously of similar Radars and Missile Systems procured long back but in use by Defence Forces.

He also said that the costs of such upgradation will be less than procuring new systems and will provide a new lease of life for such systems.