New Delhi: In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the defence ministry has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 30 Low-Level Lightweight Radars and two Classroom Variant Radars (CRVs) for the Indian Army, at an estimated cost of Rs 725 crore.
These systems intended to acquire under emergency procurement route to meet urgent operational requirements.
The new radars are intended for use across a wide range of terrains, including mountains, high altitudes, plains, semi-deserts, deserts, and coastal areas.
Their versatility is crucial for deployment in various operational theatres, enhancing the Army’s capacity to monitor and respond to aerial threats in diverse environments.
The LLLR-I must be compatible with the Akashteer Command and Reporting module, including necessary gateway hardware and inbuilt software, and must satisfy the Army Cyber Group’s criteria for secure connection to the Army Data Network.
Functioning as advanced air surveillance units, the LLLR-I systems are expected to scan airspace to detect, track, and prioritise aerial targets.
The RFP specifies that the radars must be capable of tracking at least hundreds of targets simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive coverage over critical areas.
The technical requirements also include the ability to assign at least twenty tracks at the same time to a minimum of ten command posts or weapon systems equipped with Target Data Receivers, positioned up to 20 km from each radar.
The system should support connectivity through line, radio, or radio relay, and be expandable to accommodate up to twenty receivers.
To encourage local industry participation, the RFP mandates that a minimum of sixty per cent of the content in the radars must be indigenous.
This stipulation is in line with broader efforts to promote domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
Delivery timelines are clearly established, with the first batch of fifteen LLLR-I systems and one Command and Reporting Vehicle required within twelve months of advance payment, and the remaining units to be supplied over the following six months.
All about LLLR-I system
LLLR (I) Radar is a Pulse-Doppler, software-defined radar platform incorporates an AESA antenna and GaN amplifiers with advanced 3D processing capabilities, providing unprecedented clutter handling and multipath mitigation.
The radar is employing state of art Active Phased Array Radar with Digital Beam Forming Technology.
It is a next generation true multi-mission radar with optimal performance against a wide variety of targets including low RCS targets Drone and UAVs.
It’s a non-moving radar with four phased array antenna panels covering 360°.
