New Delhi (Agencies): Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), India’s state-owned defense electronics company, has completed the delivery of the Swathi Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) Mk I systems to the Indian Army. A BEL spokesperson confirmed on March 5 that the final radar has been handed over under a contract secured in March 2023 for 12 Swathi WLR Mk I units, valued at INR 9.91 billion (USD 113.6 million).
The Swathi WLR Mk I is designed specifically for operations in plains and has been a critical addition to the Indian Army’s surveillance and targeting capabilities. With this latest delivery, the Army now operates a total of 43 Swathi WLR Mk I systems, including 31 units previously supplied under a 2015 contract.
In addition to the Mk I version, the Indian Army has also deployed six Swathi WLR Mk II systems, procured under a separate contract awarded to BEL in December 2021. The Mk II variant is smaller and optimized for mountainous terrains, while both versions share the same operational range.
Developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), the Swathi WLR is a mobile, long-range, 3D electronically scanned phased-array radar operating in the C-band (5.4–5.85 GHz). It is designed to detect and track incoming artillery shells, mortars, and rockets, providing real-time targeting data for counter-strike operations. The system enhances the Army’s battlefield awareness and strengthens India’s indigenous defense capabilities.