The Ministry of Defence has signed a landmark contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru, for the procurement of advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) Suites and associated aircraft modification kits for the Indian Air Force’s Mi-17 V5 helicopters. The deal, valued at Rs 23.85 billion, was formalized under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category on April 7, 2025, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi.

Designed to significantly enhance the operational survivability of helicopters in hostile environments, the state-of-the-art EW Suite will offer a critical edge to the IAF’s rotary wing fleet. The installation will include not only the EW systems but also the modification kits and support equipment required for integration.

A majority of components and sub-assemblies for the EW systems will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, with a strong push for MSME participation. This initiative aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India vision, marking a major stride toward self-reliance in high-end defence technologies.

The project reinforces India's efforts to develop cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign systems, ensuring enhanced readiness and resilience for the nation’s air defence.