SOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s air defense capabilities, Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies Limited (ADTL) has successfully delivered the first of six Surya Very High Frequency (VHF) radars to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This milestone, announced on May 24, 2025, marks a pivotal step in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defense technology, with the indigenous radar system designed to detect stealth aircraft and enhance the IAF’s situational awareness. The delivery, part of a ?200 crore contract for six solid-state 3D radars, underscores Bengaluru’s growing prominence as a hub for cutting-edge defense manufacturing.
The Surya VHF radar, developed entirely in India by ADTL, is a state-of-the-art mobile radar system designed to counter stealth aircraft and other low-observable aerial threats. Operating in the VHF band, the radar leverages longer wavelengths to detect stealth targets, which are often invisible to conventional high-frequency radars due to their radar-absorbing coatings. With a range of 360 kilometers for a 2 m² target, the Surya radar boasts advanced surveillance capabilities, including a staring mode that enhances its ability to track stealthy objects at long distances. The system, mounted on two 6×6 vehicles for mobility, can perform 10 rotations per minute, ensuring rapid and comprehensive coverage.
According to Vishal Anand, Assistant Vice-President of Projects at Alpha Design, the radar was designed and developed indigenously without any technology transfer from foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). “This is designed & developed in BHARAT itself,” Anand stated during Aero India 2025, highlighting the radar’s role in showcasing India’s technological prowess. The system’s solid-state technology and 3D surveillance capabilities make it a critical asset for the IAF, particularly in contested environments where stealth aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose significant threats.
The delivery of the Surya VHF radar comes on the heels of India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. During the operation, India’s multi-layered air defense network, including the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra, Akash, and Akashteer systems, successfully neutralized a large-scale Pakistani aerial assault involving 300–400 drones and missiles. The Surya radar’s ability to detect stealth targets could have played a crucial role in providing early warning and tracking low-observable threats, complementing the IAF’s existing radar systems like the Ashwini Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
The Surya radar’s deployment is particularly significant given Pakistan’s use of Chinese-supplied HQ-9 and HQ-16 air defense systems, which struggled to detect Indian drones and missiles during Operation Sindoor. The radar’s integration with India’s broader C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) framework, including the Akashteer system, enhances the IAF’s ability to coordinate air defense operations in real-time, ensuring rapid engagement of hostile targets.
The contract for six Surya radars, signed in early 2025, reflects the IAF’s commitment to bolstering its air defense capabilities with indigenous systems. The remaining five radars are expected to be delivered in the coming months, with the first unit already operational following its delivery in mid-March 2025. This acquisition aligns with India’s broader push for self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reducing dependence on foreign technology and enhancing national security.
The Surya VHF radar’s ability to detect stealth aircraft has drawn attention from global defense analysts, particularly after India’s successful defense against Pakistani and Chinese-supplied systems during Operation Sindoor. The radar’s performance could reshape regional military dynamics, especially in countering stealth threats from adversaries like China, whose J-20 fighters and Wing Loong UAVs pose challenges to traditional radar systems. The Surya radar’s integration with other indigenous systems, such as the Akash and QRSAM missiles, further strengthens India’s multi-layered air defense architecture.
As the IAF continues to modernize, the Surya radar’s deployment signals India’s emergence as a leader in defense technology. The system’s showcase at Aero India 2025, where it was presented to a global audience, underscores its potential for export and collaboration with friendly nations. With Bengaluru at the forefront of this technological revolution, Alpha Design Technologies and the IAF are setting new benchmarks in autonomous warfare and air defense.
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