The Indian military is acquiring 12 new weapon-locating radars to bolster its defenses along the country’s border with China.
Called the Swathi, the “Make-in-India” system helps soldiers automatically identify locations from where enemy weapons are fired.
The radar can simultaneously locate mortars, shells, and rockets with a maximum detection range of 50 kilometers (31 miles).
According to a report by Indian news outlet NDTV, detecting enemy weapons is crucial since it enables accurate counterstrikes.
The Swathi radar system was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and is manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited.
Apart from Swathi, the country operates other weapon-locating radars along the Line of Actual Control, separating India and China.
Increased Defense Spending
India’s acquisition of new military equipment is part of a broader effort to modernize its military and make it a “self-reliant” nation in defense manufacturing.
Last year, the army announced plans to procure a lightweight, low-level radar to bolster threat detection amid increasing tensions with Beijing.
The radar would help the service detect and identify enemy aircraft, particularly in areas where surveillance is limited because of mountainous terrain.
The US Department of Defense also approved the potential sale of an Integrated Air Defense Weapon System to India for an estimated $1.9 billion.
Additionally, it was reported earlier this year that the South Asian nation has 93 military modernization projects worth $18.4 billion currently in progress.
These include longer-range weapons, multi-purpose drones, night-fighting capabilities, and early warning and detection systems.