Brahmos: MoD inks deals for next-gen vessels, radars, Akash and BrahMos missile batteries worth over Rs 32,000 crore | India News

NEW DELHI: In a flurry of deals a day before the ongoing fiscal ends, the defence ministry on Thursday inked major indigenous contracts worth over Rs 32,000 crore for six next-generation missile vessels, 11 offshore patrol vessels and two BrahMos missile coastal batteries for the Navy as well as two more Akash missile regiments and 12 weapon-locating radars for the Army.
The next-generation offshore patrol vessels will be built — seven at Goa Shipyard and four at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata – at a cost of Rs 9,781 crore.

“Delivery of these ships will commence from September 2026. They will enable the Navy to maintain its combat capability and meet various operational requirements such as anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, anti-trafficking and protection of offshore assets etc,” an official said.
The six missile vessels, in turn, will be built by the Cochin Shipyard at a cost of Rs 9,805 crore, with the delivery to begin from March 2027. “These high-speed stealth vessels will be heavily armed. Their primary role will be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen and land targets. They will be a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships especially at choke points,” the official said.
Another contract for the Navy was the over Rs 1,700 crore one for two next-generation maritime mobile coastal batteries (long range) of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The batteries, equipped with missiles of 350-420-km range for “multi-directional strike capability”, will be delivered from 2027 onwards.

The biggest contract for the Army was for Rs 8,160 crore inked with Bharat Dynamics for two more Akash weapon system (AWS) regiments, with surface-to-air missiles capable of intercepting hostile aircraft, helicopters and drones at a 25-km range, to add to two existing ones already with the force.
These two “improved” AWS regiments will have better seeker technology, a reduced footprint, 360° engagement capability and improved environmental parameters for deployment in high-altitude areas along the frontier with China.
The 12 weapon locating radars Swathi (plains), in turn, will be procured from Bharat Electronics (BEL) for over Rs 990 crore. “These indigenous radars are capable of locating guns, mortars and rockets of enemy troops to facilitate their destruction through counter-bombardments. Their induction is planned to be completed in 24 months,” the official said.
Another Rs 1,700 crore contract was inked with BEL for procurement of 13 Lynx-U2 fire control systems for naval guns, which are capable of accurately tracking and engaging targets amidst the sea clutter as well as in the air. These 4th generation systems will be installed on the new-generation offshore patrol vessels.