By A Correspondent
New Delhi: India’s Ministry of Defence on Feb. 8, 2025, signed a contract with state-run Bharat Electronics Limited to buy 28 target detection systems for its naval ships.
The EON-51 systems for 11 New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and three Cadet Training Ships are worth Rs 643.17 crore (~US$73 million), and this purchase would be done under the Buy (Indian – Indigenously Designed, Developed, Manufactured) category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure.
“EON-51 is an Electro-Optical Fire Control System which provides search, detection and classification of targets using Electro-Optical and Thermal Imagers devices,” an MoD statement said.
“The (purchase) scheme will generate employment over three years and encourage active participation of various Indian industries including MSMEs, thus significantly contributing to the government’s efforts to achieve “Aatmanirbharta” (Self-Reliance)” in the defence sector, it added.
Meanwhile, BEL stated in a separate statement that it has signed a contract valued at Rs 610 crore (~US$70 million) for supplying Electro-Optic Fire Control Systems (EOFCS) to the Indian Navy.
“This fully indigenously developed system will be installed and integrated onboard Indian Naval platforms. The system is capable of panoramic/sector search, tracking all types of targets during day/night, and engages the tracked targets with medium-range and short-range gun mounts.
Additionally, BEL has secured other orders valued at Rs 352 crore (~US$40 million) following the last disclosure on Jan. 28, 2025, which comprises Anti Drone System, Fuzes, Integrated Fire Detection and Suppression System, Vessel Communication System, Spares, and Services.
“With these, BEL has accumulated orders totalling Rs 11,855 crore (~US$1.4 billion) in the 2024-25 fiscal ending Mar. 31, 2025.
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