BEL delivers upgraded air defence system to army

State-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) Tuesday delivered the first upgraded Schilka air defence weapon system to the Indian army, three years after it signed the contract following evaluation of the prototype system in March 2011.

"Schilka is an all-weather, self-propelled, tracked, low-level air defence weapon system and its upgraded version has search-cum-track digital radar, with electro-optical fire control system," the company said in a statement.

Army's Director General, Air Defence, Lt.Gen. V.K. Saxena received the first Schilka from BEL chairman and managing director S.K. Sharma at a function here.

"The army has given clearance for bulk production of the enhanced weapon system, whose main engine, auxiliary engine, integrated fire detection, suppression system, nuclear, biological and chemical filter and communication system have also been upgraded," the company said but did not specify the number of the weapon system to be rolled out.

An air-conditioner has also been provided in the Schilka cabin for the comfort of its crew.