The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) on 23 September 2026 for the procurement of 160 SAT-SAAW systems and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force. The contract, valued at ₹810.79 crore, was placed under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category.
The company’s expertise in radio frequency (RF) systems, microwave electronics and defence sensors provides a strong foundation for developing advanced counter-drone solutions. Astra Microwave has highlighted its capabilities in areas such as counter-UAV radars and electronic warfare technologies, which form critical components of layered drone defence networks.
The proposed system is expected to have a capacity of approximately 20.64 MWh with a rated voltage range of around 740–800 VDC. The development scope includes battery cell technology, module design, battery pack integration, Battery Management System development, thermal management solutions, prototype qualification and supply of production-standard systems.
The delegation witnessed the production infrastructure behind the Light Combat Aircraft programme, including aircraft assembly processes, advanced manufacturing facilities and technologies supporting India’s indigenous fighter aircraft ecosystem.
The Defence Secretary stated that French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation has agreed to integrate Indian weapons into the Rafale aircraft being considered under the new procurement programme. Similar integration provisions were also included in the agreement for the Indian Navy’s Rafale Marine aircraft.
The proposed facility is part of the companies’ plan to establish a local aerospace manufacturing ecosystem around the C-390 programme, which is being offered to the Indian Air Force under its Medium Transport Aircraft requirement. The project remains dependent on the aircraft being selected by India.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K has confirmed that the front, centre and rear fuselage sections of the first Tejas Mk2 prototype have been joined, completing the main structural assembly of the aircraft.
The Mirage 2000 remains one of the Indian Air Force’s important multirole fighter platforms, and its continued operational relevance requires regular pilot training across increasingly complex mission profiles.
Electro-optical and infrared systems form a critical part of modern surveillance and remote-sensing platforms. They combine optical sensors, infrared detectors, stabilisation systems, image-processing electronics and software to identify and track objects across different lighting and environmental conditions.
Each layer is intended to perform part of the interception process. The outer mesh can disrupt or slow an incoming drone, while subsequent layers are designed to absorb more of its remaining energy and prevent the aircraft or its payload from reaching the protected structure below.
