India Boosts Self-Reliance: Homegrown Radar to Power Tejas Fighter Jets

In a major push for its defense industry, India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced a crucial upgrade to its Tejas Mk1A fighter program. Starting with the 41st aircraft, the advanced Tejas fighters will ditch imported radars in favor of the indigenously developed Uttam AESA Fire Control Radar (FCR).

India's Tech Triumph​

The Uttam AESA FCR is a significant achievement for India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). After 125 rigorous flight tests, this homegrown radar is ready for action. It has been put through its paces in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat scenarios, ensuring it's battle-ready for the Tejas Mk1A fleet.

More Power, More Potential​

The Tejas Mk1A fighters will actually get a souped-up version of the Uttam radar compared to earlier prototypes. This upgraded version packs even more power, potentially boosting its range and detection capabilities.

Beyond the Tejas​

Experts believe this isn't just about equipping the Tejas. The move could pave the way for India to use a single, standardized radar system across its Tejas Mk1A and the upcoming Mk2 fighters. This simplifies production and makes maintenance easier.

But it doesn't stop there. Even bigger and more powerful versions of the Uttam radar are in the works, designed to be the eyes of India's future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and to give a cutting-edge upgrade to the existing Su-30MKI fleet.

The Big Picture​

India is taking significant strides towards becoming a self-sufficient military power. The Uttam radar is proof of the country's growing technological prowess, and its inclusion in the Tejas Mk1A is a clear signal that India is serious about reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

 

[Pink Panther]

Let the 40 MK1A’s be built and inducted by IAF at that time.

 

[sanket]

will French MBDA allow Integration of Meteor System from 41st Tejas MK1A , Earlier denied due to Israel Radar Elta 2052 with Indigenous Uttam AESA Radar let see French MBDA whether it allow or Not.

 

[Anant]

Okay, just how many times is this same article going to be parroted?

 

[Mithu Roy]

HAL chairman's statement to be taken with pinch of salt.They sell dreams to pop up share price.They get orders since there is monopoly and they never deliver on time or on quality

 

[Mridul baruah]

Jyada sapne mat dikhaya karo.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

Well, we must acknowledge that UTTAM development is a major milestone.....20 yrs ago when MRCA was started, we were eyeing three specific technologies......Engine, Radar, and Sensor fusion...........Well, now we have made remarkable progress on 2 out of those 3....what remains is the engine which will probably happen with Safran...we have the BVRs taken care....

For next gen fighters what remains is the stuff that we are traditionally decent at....sensor programming, avionics, software, AI, etc. so that we can introduce new capabilities with each iteration...we have by some means figured out certain aspects of stealth shaping and RAM coating....so overall keeping fingers crossed.....

Probably joining he sixth gen French program makes sense today....will allow us to being those learnings to AMCA Mk2 in 2035

 

[GMR]

Okay, just how many times is this same article going to be parroted?

Until 41st unit is not handed over to IAF 😂

 

[Kira]

will French MBDA allow Integration of Meteor System from 41st Tejas MK1A , Earlier denied due to Israel Radar Elta 2052 with Indigenous Uttam AESA Radar let see French MBDA whether it allow or Not.

I believe they will eventually have to considering the sheer number of Tejas types that will eventually and hopefully serve the IAF,the bigger the number the business for MBDA and it's Meteor.The issues with MKI and Israeli radar won't be present,and by then all potential Rafale orders would have been done for,so I dont think there will be any real reason for MBDA to not offer it.

 

[kumar]

will French MBDA allow Integration of Meteor System from 41st Tejas MK1A , Earlier denied due to Israel Radar Elta 2052 with Indigenous Uttam AESA Radar let see French MBDA whether it allow or Not.

Yes, they will since it will indegenious radar.

 

[Akshat]

Well, we must acknowledge that UTTAM development is a major milestone.....20 yrs ago when MRCA was started, we were eyeing three specific technologies......Engine, Radar, and Sensor fusion...........Well, now we have made remarkable progress on 2 out of those 3....what remains is the engine which will probably happen with Safran...we have the BVRs taken care....

For next gen fighters what remains is the stuff that we are traditionally decent at....sensor programming, avionics, software, AI, etc. so that we can introduce new capabilities with each iteration...we have by some means figured out certain aspects of stealth shaping and RAM coating....so overall keeping fingers crossed.....

Probably joining he sixth gen French program makes sense today....will allow us to being those learnings to AMCA Mk2 in 2035

No thanks to DRDO. We got the radar tech from France as ToT for Rafale offsets. We haven’t shown any sensor fusion in any operational system so far.

 

[Man-ju]

How many MK1A were handed over? I guess none.

 

[Sandeep]

No thanks to DRDO. We got the radar tech from France as ToT for Rafale offsets. We haven’t shown any sensor fusion in any operational system so far.

India didn't receive any technology transfer from the Rafale deal and its offset simply means that they can spend or invest that into anything and it's vague with no fixed investment in developing any specific indigenous technology.

 

[Man-ju]

will French MBDA allow Integration of Meteor System from 41st Tejas MK1A , Earlier denied due to Israel Radar Elta 2052 with Indigenous Uttam AESA Radar let see French MBDA whether it allow or Not.

I believe they won't, because this can impact the USP of similar jets such as Gripen or F-35. Because in looking at the case of KF21 the Meteor was initially approved by MBDA only after it was supposed to carry the AESA radar of F-35, but when US blocked the sale of AESA and other crucial Tech from F-35A, MBDA has remained tight-lipped about the integration of Meteor on KF21.

 

[Sandeep]

It's great that they are developing and testing the radar and it's a capabilities as much as possible as we want to make sure it's reliable in battle and can detect even the smallest of drones with a very long range. Although it's mostly developed they will no doubt need to fine tune the radar based on the feedback from pilots which will make sure it's foolproof. It's also possible they might need to modify or upgrade any critical parts, components and software to improve the radar and to make sure the jet's computer works seamlessly with the computer, radar and missile. By the time HAL makes 40 jets and Israeli radars it will take around 3-5 years to complete so this gives us a lot of time to develop and perfect a really reliable Uttam radar.

 

[Sandeep]

How many MK1A were handed over? I guess none.

2 so they can test and certify the new technology, equipment and parts we developed and installed

 

[Akshat]

India didn't receive any technology transfer from the Rafale deal and its offset simply means that they can spend or invest that into anything and it's vague with no fixed investment in developing any specific indigenous technology.

Get yourself updated. Thales transferred the entire tech for AESA TRM to BDL. DRDO is the designated nodal agency for it (as per DPP 2020).

 

[Akshat]

2 so they can test and certify the new technology, equipment and parts we developed and installed

None to IAF. This testing is being done by DRDO.

 

[Sandeep]

Get yourself updated. Thales transferred the entire tech for AESA TRM to BDL. DRDO is the designated nodal agency for it (as per DPP 2020).

Mate it was clearly stated in the contract and news that no technology transfer was given. Also it's highly unlikely that they will give 100% of the entire radar technology including AESA and TRM. If they gave that technology then why are we still designing and developing our own Uttam radar? Why are we still testing and improving the quality, technology and parts of our Uttam radar? Why didn't we just manufacture the French radar if we already had the technology rather than spending more money in developing a brand new expensive radar which takes time and effort?

 

[Sandeep]

None to IAF. This testing is being done by DRDO.

They are bought and owned by the air force and given to HAL to test the latest technology, parts, equipment or weapons etc. They do the same thing with our Sukhoi jets.