Bengaluru: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), has successfully delivered the 49th unit of the Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-Plains) – SWATHI to the Indian Army ahead of schedule. This milestone highlights BEL’s contribution to India’s defence self-reliance efforts and its growing leadership in indigenous defence manufacturing.
The radar was developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory LRDE. Brigadier RR Yadav, Commandant of the Central Ordnance Depot (COD)-Agra, received the symbolic key of the final unit from the latest order of 12 WLRs placed by the Indian Army in March 2023. The handover ceremony was conducted by Hemalatha BJ, General Manager (Military Radar) at BEL-Bangalore, in the presence of Maj Gen Vikram Taneja, VSM, Additional Director General, Ordnance Services (B), and Rajnish Sharma, Director (Bangalore Complex). Senior officials from the 509 Army Base Workshop, DRDO scientists, and officers from the Indian Army and BEL also attended the event.
Since 2015, BEL has been entrusted with multiple orders for both variants of the Weapon Locating Radar – designed for plains and mountainous terrains – to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian Army. The SWATHI WLR plays a crucial role in enhancing the Army’s combat effectiveness by accurately detecting and locating hostile artillery weapons in real-time, enabling precise counter-strikes.
The WLR SWATHI, a joint initiative of BEL and DRDO’s radar development house LRDE, is a remarkable example of India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence technology. With over 85% indigenous content, the radar supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, leveraging a robust supply chain within India, including contributions from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It has consistently exceeded performance benchmarks and passed rigorous acceptance tests before each delivery.
In addition to strengthening India’s defence capabilities, the WLR has attracted international attention, resulting in exports to friendly nations. This reflects India’s growing prowess in designing and manufacturing advanced defence systems that meet global standards.
BEL’s continued excellence in defence manufacturing underscores its vital role in India’s journey towards self-reliance in critical military technologies.
