Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Defence Ministry Signs Rs 2,385 Crore Contract with BEL for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter Upgrades.
New Delhi:
In a significant boost to India’s defence capabilities and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Ministry of Defence has signed a landmark contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru, for the acquisition of Electronic Warfare (EW) Suites and aircraft modification kits for the Mi-17 V5 helicopters. The deal, worth Rs 2,385.36 crore, was formalized on April 07, 2025 in New Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Under this contract, BEL will provide the advanced EW Suites along with necessary modification kits and equipment for the Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The installation of these systems will significantly enhance the helicopters’ operational survivability in hostile environments, improving their effectiveness in defense operations.
The most noteworthy aspect of this deal is that it falls under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, in line with India’s commitment to strengthening its self-reliance in defense technology. A major portion of the sub-assemblies and components will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, underscoring the government’s push to encourage domestic production and foster the growth of Indian electronics and defence industries, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The contract marks a major milestone in India’s journey towards self-sufficiency in defense technologies, particularly in the realm of Electronic Warfare (EW), and aligns with the Make-in-India initiative. The deployment of indigenous EW capabilities in the Mi-17 V5 helicopters represents a significant leap forward in India’s defense modernization efforts, making the country more Aatmanirbhar in its defense sector.
This development is expected to enhance the country’s defense preparedness while promoting technological advancements and self-reliance in the growing field of electronic warfare.
