DRDO hands over weapon locating radar to Army

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) weapon locating radar 'Swati' was formally handed over to the Indian Army on Thursday, with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar saying its deployment will reduce artillery fire from across the border.

Officials say that four radars deployed along the Line of Control for trial have already proved their efficacy since artillery fire from Pakistan's side had reduced after their deployment.

The Indian Army has at present ordered 30 such radars.

The weapon-locating radar developed by the DRDO's Electronic and Radar Development Establishment provides fast and accurate location of enemy artillery including shells, mortars and rockets.

The radar is also capable of guiding fire from an artillery gun attached to it, meaning thereby that the radar can not only locate artillery guns on the enemy side but also ensure their destruction.

Parrikar also congratulated the DRDO for successful trial of exo-atmospheric Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor missile and endo-atmospheric Advanced Air Defence missile, both part of a two-tier anti-ballistic missile system.