SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant development in India’s naval aviation modernization, the Indian Navy’s pursuit to equip its 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets with the indigenously developed Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar has met resistance from Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale.
According to sources close to idrw.org, Dassault warned that integrating the Uttam AESA radar, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), would require nearly three years of testing and certification, along with significant upgrades to the Rafale’s Mission Computer. This stance has led the Indian Navy to drop its insistence on the Uttam radar, opting instead for the Thales RBE2 AESA radar, highlighting the complexities of balancing indigenous technology adoption with operational timelines and costs. This article explores Dassault’s arguments, the Navy’s motivations, and the broader implications for India’s defence ecosystem.
In July 2023, the Indian Navy selected the Rafale M over Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet to fulfill its requirement for 26 carrier-based fighter jets for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. The deal, finalized in April 2025 for approximately $7.4 billion, includes 22 single-seat Rafale M jets and four twin-seat trainers, along with advanced weaponry like the Meteor air-to-air missile and Exocet AM39 anti-ship missile, as well as training and logistics support. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028, with completion by 2030.
The Indian Navy initially advocated for integrating the Uttam AESA radar, developed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) for the Tejas MkII aircraft, into the Rafale M. The Uttam radar, featuring 912 Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs) based on advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, offers superior power efficiency, detection range, and jamming resistance compared to the Gallium Arsenide (GaS)-based Thales RBE2 AESA radar currently equipping the Rafale. Additionally, the Navy aimed to integrate indigenous weapons like the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR), Medium Range Anti-Ship Missile (MRAShM), and Astra MkII and MkIII beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) to enhance operational autonomy and interoperability with other Indian platforms.
Dassault’s Case Against the Uttam AESA Radar
Dassault Aviation’s reluctance to integrate the Uttam AESA radar stems from technical, operational, and commercial considerations, as outlined by sources close to idrw.org:
- Technical Challenges and Certification Delays: Dassault cautioned that replacing the Thales RBE2 radar with the Uttam AESA radar would necessitate extensive modifications to the Rafale’s Modular Mission Computer (MMC), which serves as the electronic backbone of the aircraft. The MMC, comprising 18 processor modules, manages sensor fusion, weapon systems, and mission-critical operations. Integrating a radar developed outside Dassault’s ecosystem would require significant software and hardware upgrades to ensure compatibility, a process estimated to take three years of testing and certification. This timeline would delay the Rafale M’s induction into the Indian Navy, conflicting with the urgent need to modernize its carrier-based aviation capabilities.
- Retesting and Integration Costs: Incorporating the Uttam radar would require retesting the Rafale M’s systems to ensure seamless operation, including flight tests to validate performance in carrier-based scenarios. Dassault emphasized that such retesting would demand additional funding from the Indian Navy, increasing the overall cost of the $7.4 billion deal. The Navy, already navigating budget constraints, found the additional financial burden and delays unacceptable, particularly given the urgent need to replace its aging MiG-29K fleet.
- Proprietary Concerns and Intellectual Property: The Thales RBE2 radar and MMC are proprietary technologies developed by Thales and Dassault, representing significant investments in research and development. Integrating an external radar like the Uttam would require sharing sensitive software interfaces or modifying proprietary systems, raising concerns about intellectual property rights (IPR). Dassault and Thales are cautious about protecting their technological edge, as sharing such data could set a precedent for other Rafale operators to demand similar modifications, potentially impacting their market share.
- Proven Performance of the RBE2 Radar: The Thales RBE2 AESA radar, with approximately 838 GaS-based TRMs, is a proven system with a detection range of 200 km and compatibility with advanced weapons like the Meteor missile. While the Uttam radar’s GaN-based technology offers advantages, the RBE2’s reliability and operational track record in multiple theaters make it a low-risk choice for the Indian Navy’s immediate needs. Dassault argued that the RBE2’s performance is sufficient for the Rafale M’s carrier-based missions, reducing the need for a costly and time-consuming radar swap.
The Uttam radar, with 912 GaN-based TRMs, offers approximately 20% greater peak power (around 9,120 W) than its GaS-based predecessor and potentially surpasses the RBE2’s 200 km detection range for a 2m² radar cross-section target. GaN technology provides better power output, thermal efficiency, and jamming resistance, making it a future-ready solution for modern air combat scenarios. The Navy saw the Uttam as a technological leap that could enhance the Rafale M’s capabilities against regional threats, particularly from China’s evolving stealth platforms like the J-20 and FC-31.
A key motivation was the ease of integrating indigenous weapons like the NASM-MR, MRAShM, Astra MkII (160 km range), and Astra MkIII (Gandiva, 300–350 km range). These missiles, developed by DRDO, are designed to operate seamlessly with the Uttam radar, reducing reliance on French approvals for software modifications. Integrating these weapons with the RBE2 radar requires Dassault’s assistance, which involves additional costs and delays due to proprietary restrictions. The Navy aimed to achieve greater operational autonomy and interoperability with platforms like the Tejas and MiG-29K, which are planned to use the Uttam radar.
The Navy sought to standardize its radar systems by adopting the Uttam AESA for the Rafale M, MiG-29K, and the upcoming Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF). Commonality would streamline maintenance, training, and logistics, reducing long-term costs and enhancing fleet readiness. The Uttam radar’s planned integration into the Tejas MkII and TEDBF made it an attractive option for achieving a cohesive naval air fleet.
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