Ministry of Defence Signs ₹1220 Crore Deal with BEL for Advanced Communication Systems for Indian Coast Guard

New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s maritime security and self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru, for the procurement of 149 state-of-the-art Software Defined Radios (SDRs) for the Indian Coast Guard. The deal, valued at ₹1220.12 crore, falls under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category, reinforcing the country’s commitment to indigenous defence production.

Strengthening Maritime Operations

The newly acquired SDRs will provide high-speed data and secure voice communication, ensuring real-time situational awareness, seamless collaboration, and enhanced operational efficiency. These cutting-edge communication systems will significantly boost the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) core functions, including:
✅ Maritime law enforcement
✅ Search and rescue missions
✅ Fisheries protection
✅ Marine environment conservation
✅ Interoperability for joint operations with the Indian Navy

The project aligns with the Government of India’s Blue Economy vision by fortifying maritime security and safeguarding India’s vast coastline and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Furthermore, the contract will drive domestic manufacturing of advanced military-grade communication systems, fostering employment generation and expertise development in the defence sector.

With this initiative, India continues to advance its Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, ensuring that the nation remains self-sufficient in critical defence technologies while reinforcing its maritime strength.