MoD signs contracts worth ₹1,917 crore for radios, fork lift trucks

The contract for 149 SDRs is with defence public sector undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru at a total cost of ₹1,220.12 crore. Image credit: Twitter/@SpokespersonMoD

The Defence Ministry on Thursday (February 20, 2025) signed two contracts worth ₹1,917.47 crore for the procurement of 149 software defined radios (SDR) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and 1,868 rough terrain forklift trucks (RTFLT) for the three Services.

The contract for 149 SDRs is with defence public sector undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru at a total cost of ₹1,220.12 crore. “Induction of SDRs marks the transition from present single purpose radios to multi-band, multi-mode and multi-role radios of future. ICG units require high speed secure communication along with secure networking capability for seamless information exchange for coordinated operations at sea,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“SDRs will enable secure and reliable information sharing, situational awareness and network centric operations through high-speed data and secure voice communication capability.”

The SDRs are indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured providing significant boost to country’s manufacturing capabilities for advanced military-grade communication systems. The statement added that this will strengthen the ICG’s capability to fulfil its core responsibilities, including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, fisheries protection, and marine environment protection. Additionally, these radios will enhance interoperability for joint operations with the Indian Navy.

The other contract for 1,868 RTFLTs at a total cost of ₹697.35 crore was signed with ACE Limited and JCB India Limited. It is a critical equipment which will assist in various combat and logistics support tasks by avoiding manual handling of enormous number of stores thereby enhancing the operational effectiveness of the three Services.

The present case being a buy (Indian) case will enhance national defence equipment manufacturing capabilities, the Ministry said in another statement adding that this project has immense potential of direct and indirect employment generation by encouraging Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector through component’s manufacturing.