SOURCE: AFI
As reports intensify regarding Pakistan’s potential acquisition of the Chinese J-35A stealth fighter jet, India is recalibrating its approach to countering fifth-generation aerial threats. Instead of pursuing the expensive and strategically complex procurement of platforms like the Russian Su-57E or the American F-35A, India is opting for a more pragmatic and cost-effective route—enhancing its anti-stealth detection capabilities.
At the forefront of this strategy is the indigenously developed Anti-Stealth VHF Radar by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad. Deployed on a TATA 6×6 LPTA 1828 High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) platform, the radar is designed to neutralize one of the most critical advantages of fifth-generation fighters—low observability or stealth.
Unlike conventional S-, X-, or Ku-band radars, the VHF radar operates at longer wavelengths that are less affected by stealth shaping and coatings, making it more effective at detecting stealth aircraft like the J-35, F-35, or Su-57. While exact performance specifications remain classified, open sources indicate the radar is capable of tracking airborne targets beyond 100 nautical miles, allowing for early warning and interception coordination.
The system is mounted on two TATRA vehicles, enabling rapid deployment, high mobility, and the flexibility to cover different sectors or relocate in response to evolving operational demands. Mobile deployment not only aids flexibility but also improves survivability against counter-strikes, as radar systems can change locations quickly to avoid being targeted.
The J-35A, also known as FC-31, is China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for carrier operations and export markets. If inducted by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), it would be the PAF’s first stealth platform and a significant step toward narrowing the technological gap with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Equipped with stealth shaping, internal weapons bays, and advanced avionics, the J-35A could challenge India’s air superiority doctrine, particularly in contested airspace. However, like most stealth aircraft, the J-35’s low observability is most effective against traditional radar frequencies.
This is where India’s investment in VHF-band anti-stealth radar systems presents a direct counter. While these radars may not provide pinpoint fire control solutions, they offer early warning and tracking data that can be fused with other sensor inputs, including AESA radars and infrared search-and-track (IRST) systems, to create a multi-layered anti-stealth defense network.
India’s shift from acquiring fifth-generation fighters to enhancing sensor and radar architecture reflects a broader trend in military modernization. By investing in a wide-area surveillance and detection grid, India aims to deny the adversary the element of surprise that stealth technology seeks to provide.
Rather than spending billions on a limited number of stealth fighters, India’s approach ensures broader coverage and readiness across its vast borders. Moreover, these radars can augment India’s upcoming AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program by serving as part of a cohesive air defense ecosystem.
With Pakistan potentially fielding J-35A stealth fighters in the coming years, India is preparing a cost-effective and technically robust counter rooted in radar science and strategic mobility. The DRDO-BEL VHF Anti-Stealth Radar represents a critical component in this emerging strategy, aimed not at matching stealth with stealth, but at neutralizing it altogether.
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