The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a single-tender Request for Proposal (RFP) to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the supply of one indigenous Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) system to replace the ageing Ellora Mk-II suite aboard an Indian Navy warship.
The procurement is understood to be part of a targeted modernisation initiative for a vessel serving with the Navy’s Eastern Fleet. A Shivalik-class stealth frigate is considered a potential candidate, although the specific platform has not been officially confirmed.
Under the proposed contract, BEL will manufacture and deliver one complete Shakti EW suite within 18 months to the Weapon Equipment Depot in Visakhapatnam. The system will subsequently be prepared for installation and integration aboard the designated warship.
Advanced Capabilities of the Shakti EW System
Developed by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by BEL, the Shakti system is designed to detect, intercept, classify, identify, and jam conventional and advanced radar emissions. It enhances a warship’s electronic warfare capabilities, threat awareness, and onboard protection against hostile radar systems.
The system’s Electronic Support Measures (ESM) component provides wideband coverage from 0.175 GHz to 40 GHz. Its capabilities include high-accuracy direction finding, radio-frequency fingerprinting, and signal recording and replay for operational analysis.
The Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) module operates across the 6 GHz to 40 GHz spectrum and incorporates Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology. It can generate up to 50 kW of effective radiated power and is designed to counter more than eight simultaneous radar threats, strengthening a warship’s ability to respond to modern surveillance systems and potential anti-ship missile engagements.
Separate from the Earlier ₹2,269.54 Crore Contract
The latest procurement is separate from the MoD’s February 2024 contract, valued at ₹2,269.54 crore, for 11 Shakti EW systems and associated equipment for newer frontline warships. These include Visakhapatnam-class destroyers and Project 17A Nilgiri-class frigates.
While the earlier contract supported the integration of Shakti systems into new naval platforms, the current RFP focuses on upgrading an existing vessel. This reflects the Indian Navy’s broader effort to replace legacy electronic warfare equipment with domestically developed technologies across its fleet.
The Shakti system has already been installed aboard INS Visakhapatnam and integrated into other major naval platforms, including INS Vikrant.
The planned upgrade is expected to strengthen the Navy’s electronic defence capabilities while advancing India’s drive towards self-reliance in defence technology. It also supports the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, including the network of Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contributing to the naval supply chain.
