Why in the News
On 21 October 2026 in New Delhi, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth about Rs 770 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of the Improved Low Level Light Weight Radar (LLLR-I) for the Indian Army. The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh (Press Information Bureau).
Role of the System (as per PIB)
- The system can detect and track fighter-sized targets as well as mini/micro drones, and can prioritise aerial targets.
- It will enable the Army to counter the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
- The purchase is a step towards the indigenisation of air-defence platforms, the defence-manufacturing ecosystem including MSMEs, and 'Viksit Bharat @2047'.
Key Features of the System (as per BEL's public product description)
- 360-degree surveillance from four static phased-array antenna panels; no need for mechanical rotation or liquid cooling (passive cooling).
- AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology, gallium nitride (GaN) amplifiers and digital beamforming.
- Track-while-scan capability, monopulse tracking, ECCM (electronic counter-countermeasures) features.
- A lightweight system operable in all three terrains - plains, desert and high Himalayan areas.
Context and Detailed Explanation
Understanding the role of a low-level radar is essential: large air-defence radars are built for altitude and long range, while small targets flying low - especially mini/micro drones - escape their grasp. The LLLR-I fills exactly this gap: detecting and tracking drones along with fighter-sized targets, and prioritising aerial targets. This is the capability that will let the Army deal with the rising threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Read the technical features together: four static phased-array panels give 360-degree coverage, so neither a mechanical arrangement to rotate the antenna nor liquid cooling is needed (passive cooling) - this is AESA's (Active Electronically Scanned Array) core advantage over conventional radar. Gallium nitride (GaN) amplifiers give greater power efficiency, digital beamforming precision, track-while-scan simultaneous search and pursuit, monopulse tracking accuracy of position-finding, and ECCM protection against jamming. Being lightweight, deployment is possible in all three terrains - plains, desert and high Himalayan areas.
Prelims facts: contract on 21 October 2026, about Rs 770 crore, with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The purchase is linked to the indigenisation of air defence, the defence-manufacturing ecosystem including MSMEs, and 'Viksit Bharat @2047'.
Exam Usefulness
Indigenous air defence, drone countermeasures, BEL/AESA technology - Prelims science/defence.
Prelims Style: Practice Questions
Question 1. With which company has the Ministry of Defence signed the contract for the purchase of the LLLR-I?
(a) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(b) Bharat Electronics Limited
(c) Bharat Dynamics Limited
(d) Mazagon Dock
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (b) Bharat Electronics Limited. A contract of about Rs 770 crore, 21 October 2026.
Question 2. The LLLR-I is being procured primarily to counter which threat?
(a) Ballistic missiles
(b) Unmanned aerial systems (drones)
(c) Submarines
(d) Cyber attacks
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (b) Unmanned aerial systems (drones). Tracking of mini/micro drones along with fighter-sized targets.
Question 3. In AESA technology, how is the radar beam steered?
(a) By mechanically rotating the antenna
(b) Electronically, without moving the antenna
(c) By changing mirrors
(d) Through satellite signals
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (b) Electronically, without moving the antenna. This is AESA's core advantage over conventional radar.
Sources
- Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Defence (21 October 2026): https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2325933&lang=1®=3
- BEL product page (technical features): https://bel-india.in/product/low-level-light-weight-radar-improved/
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