The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited, Hyderabad, for the procurement of five Ground-Based Mobile Electronic Systems for the Indian Army. The deal is valued at Rs 14.76 billion (bn) and requires a minimum of 72 per cent indigenous content. The contract was concluded under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category. It was signed in the presence of the Defence Secretary at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi on May five, 2026.

The systems will modernise Army units and are intended to enhance operational capabilities across varied terrains. The procurement is expected to strengthen the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and support the Government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives. The company will be responsible for delivery, integration and supporting logistics as per contract stipulations. The announcement follows ongoing efforts to prioritise locally developed platforms in key capability areas.

Officials indicated that adherence to the stipulated indigenous content threshold will promote supply chain development among domestic vendors and foster technology absorption. The Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category continues to guide procurements where domestic design and manufacture meet operational requirements. The procurement of five systems is expected to proceed within the timelines set out in the contract and to include comprehensive trials and acceptance processes. Oversight mechanisms will monitor quality, performance and delivery milestones.

The contract signing at Kartavya Bhawan-2 was presented as a reaffirmation of policy to reduce dependency on imports and to create sustainable defence industry growth. It aligns with other measures aimed at scaling indigenous manufacturing capacity and deepening collaboration between public sector undertakings and ancillary industries. The investment represented by the contract is anticipated to support jobs and the development of specialist skills within the defence industrial base. Subsequent updates on production schedules and induction plans are expected to be provided by the Ministry.