SOURCE: AFI
In the realm of defense technology, India has quietly emerged as a formidable player, particularly in the development of long-range radar systems. Once reliant on imports from Europe and other global powers, India has not only achieved self-sufficiency but has arguably surpassed European nations in this critical domain. Today, it stands toe-to-toe with China, competing on Beijing’s own turf in a high-stakes technological race that could reshape regional and global security dynamics.
Europe has long been a hub of advanced radar technology, with countries like France, the United Kingdom, and Sweden producing sophisticated systems such as the Thales Ground Master series, the Saab Giraffe, and the BAE Systems ARTISAN radar. These systems, often built around Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, have set benchmarks for performance, reliability, and integration into NATO’s defense architecture. However, Europe’s radar development has largely focused on meeting the needs of a relatively stable continent, prioritizing interoperability and incremental upgrades over groundbreaking innovation tailored to diverse, high-threat environments.
India, by contrast, has pursued an ambitious path driven by necessity and strategic vision. Facing dual threats from Pakistan and China—nations with rapidly evolving missile and air capabilities—India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its industry partners have engineered long-range radar systems that rival, and in some cases exceed, their European counterparts. The cornerstone of this effort is the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), which has spearheaded a silent revolution in radar technology under the “Make in India” banner.
Take the Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR), for instance. Developed by DRDO and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Swordfish boasts a detection range exceeding 1,500 km for ballistic missile tracking, with upgrades pushing this envelope further. This AESA-based system, integral to India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) network, offers precision tracking and fire control capabilities that outstrip Europe’s comparable systems, such as the Thales SMART-L, which has a range of around 1,000 km in its extended configuration. While Europe’s radars are optimized for air defense and maritime surveillance in a NATO context, India’s Swordfish is battle-tested for intercepting high-speed ballistic threats—a capability honed through real-world missile tests like the Agni-V.
Moreover, India’s Virupaksha radar, a next-generation AESA system with over 2,400 Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs), exemplifies its technological leap. GaN technology, which enhances power output and heat resistance, gives Virupaksha superior resolution and range compared to Europe’s predominantly Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)-based systems. This radar, designed for air surveillance and early warning, is poised to outperform even advanced European platforms like the Saab GlobalEye in terms of raw detection power and adaptability to India’s diverse terrain.
India’s radar advancements are not just a step ahead of Europe—they position New Delhi as a direct competitor to China, a nation that has aggressively expanded its surveillance network with systems like the Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan, boasting a 5,000 km range. China’s radar dominance has long been a concern for India, particularly with Beijing’s ability to monitor missile tests from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island and exert influence over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). However, India is no longer playing catch-up; it’s challenging China on its own terms.
The Ashwini Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR), a 4D AESA system inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a ?2,906 crore deal with BEL in 2025, exemplifies this shift. With a range exceeding 200 km and advanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), Ashwini can detect low-altitude targets—including drones and stealth aircraft—in hostile electronic warfare environments. This capability directly counters China’s growing fleet of stealth fighters like the J-20 and its extensive radar net along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Unlike Europe, which has not faced a peer adversary like China in its immediate vicinity, India’s radar development is driven by the urgent need to neutralize such threats.
India’s High Power Radar (HPR), another DRDO marvel, further illustrates this competition. A static, quad-panel AESA system, HPR offers surveillance ranges beyond 300 km and is designed to track multiple targets simultaneously, including hypersonic threats—a domain where China has invested heavily with systems like the DF-17. While China’s LPARs excel in long-range missile detection, India’s HPR and Swordfish provide a layered, multi-role capability that balances early warning with tactical responsiveness, an edge Europe’s more specialized systems often lack.
The proposed acquisition of Russia’s Voronezh radar, with a staggering 6,000 km horizontal range and 8,000 km vertical reach, underscores India’s intent to match and exceed China’s surveillance reach. If finalized, this $4 billion deal, with 60% local manufacturing, would give India unparalleled coverage over Asia and the IOR, rivaling China’s Hainan-based Low Latitude Long Range Ionospheric Radar (LARID), which claims a 9,600 km range. Unlike Europe, which relies on NATO-wide networks rather than standalone mega-radars, India is building a self-reliant ecosystem capable of standalone strategic deterrence.
What sets India apart from Europe is its focus on indigenous design and scalability. While European nations often collaborate through consortia like Airbus or MBDA, India’s public-private partnerships—between DRDO, BEL, and firms like Astra Microwave and Data Patterns—have fostered a nimble, cost-effective approach. The Uttam AESA radar, now integrated into the Tejas fighter, and the Revathi 3D radar for naval warships demonstrate India’s ability to adapt radar technology across platforms, from aircraft to ships to ground-based defenses. Europe, by contrast, tends to compartmentalize its radar applications, limiting flexibility.
India’s radar systems are also priced competitively, making them attractive for export—a domain where Europe has traditionally dominated. With countries like Indonesia and Sudan already using the BFSR-SR battlefield radar, India is poised to challenge European giants like Thales and Saab in the global market, while China remains focused on supplying its allies like Pakistan.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.