DRDO’s Laboratory for Electro-Optics and Radar Development (LRDE) completed the techno-commercial evaluation of the Multi-Mode Firefinder (MMFD) radar programme on December 27, 2025, shortlisting key Indian partners Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Alpha Design Technologies, ICOMM Tele Limited, and AMPL for financial bidding and production phases. This milestone, confirmed via open-source reports and tied to recent LRDE/MMFD-PUR/25-26 tenders closing January 1, 2026, advances indigenous AESA radar tech for air defence, artillery fire control, and ALH Mk III integration. From India’s strategic lens, it bolsters self-reliance amid border tensions, enhancing multi-domain surveillance against China-Pakistan threats and reducing import dependence, with contracts eyed for early 2026 to fortify Army, Air Force, and Navy capabilities.