In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s maritime defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has sealed a monumental contract worth Rs 2269.54 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad, for the procurement of 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems and associated equipment/accessories for the Indian Navy.
This procurement falls under the Buy (Indian- IDDM) category, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to indigenous defence production.
The Shakti Electronic Warfare System, a testament to India’s prowess in defence technology, is indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) in Hyderabad, a laboratory under the aegis of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Manufactured domestically, this state-of-the-art system boasts the capability to accurately intercept electronic emissions and implement countermeasures in dense electromagnetic environments.
According to an official statement released by the Ministry of Defence on February 13, 2024, the Shakti EW Systems will be integrated onto the capital warships of the Indian Navy, playing a pivotal role in interception, detection, classification, identification, and jamming of both conventional and modern radars.
By providing an electronic layer of defence against modern radars and anti-ship missiles, the Shakti EW system ensures electronic dominance and survivability in the maritime battlefield, thus replacing the earlier generation EW Systems of the Indian Navy.
The system’s integration with wideband Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) capabilities fortifies the defence of Indian Navy ships against missile attacks.
The ESM component enables precise direction finding and interception of modern radars, while the system’s built-in radar fingerprinting and data recording replay feature facilitates post-mission analysis.
The inaugural Shakti system has already been installed aboard INS Visakhapatnam, with further installations slated for the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, INS Vikrant.
Moreover, with the active involvement of over 155 industry partners, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the project is anticipated to generate employment opportunities totalling two and a half lakh man-days over a four-year period, aligning with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India).
This contract underscores India’s commitment to bolstering its defence capabilities through indigenous innovation and collaboration, marking a significant stride towards self-sufficiency in defence production and enhancing the nation’s strategic preparedness on the maritime front. As the Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems are set to fortify
India’s naval prowess, this procurement stands as a testament to the nation’s resolve to safeguard its maritime interests and ensure the security of its shores.
With BEL at the helm of this transformative endeavour, India’s defence landscape is poised for unprecedented advancements, further solidifying its status as a global leader in defence technology and innovation.
