SOURCE: AFI
The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a key division of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully developed Electronic Support Measures (ESM) modules for the Indian Navy’s Do-228 aircraft under the ambitious Project SHYEN S-22. This indigenous development marks a significant milestone in enhancing India’s electronic warfare (EW) capabilities and strengthening the Navy’s surveillance and reconnaissance abilities in maritime operations.
Project SHYEN S-22 was initiated to develop indigenous ESM capabilities tailored to meet the Indian Navy’s specific operational requirements. Electronic Support Measures play a critical role in modern warfare, allowing military forces to detect, identify, and locate potential threats by intercepting and analyzing electromagnetic signals emitted by adversaries. By developing these ESM modules indigenously, DRDO not only enhances the Navy’s operational capabilities but also reinforces India’s strategic goal of reducing dependence on foreign technology for critical defense systems.
The ESM modules developed under Project SHYEN S-22 are designed to be integrated with the Dornier Do-228 aircraft, which is widely used by the Indian Navy for patrol and surveillance missions. The Do-228, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a versatile, twin-engine aircraft optimized for maritime surveillance, pollution control, and other special missions. Equipping these aircraft with indigenous ESM systems will enhance their capability to detect and track radar and communication emissions, providing the Indian Navy with real-time situational awareness and early threat detection.
The ESM modules developed under Project SHYEN S-22 incorporate advanced electronic warfare technology to meet the operational needs of the Indian Navy. Key features include:
Interoperability with Existing Systems: The indigenous ESM modules are designed to integrate seamlessly with the Do-228’s existing systems, ensuring enhanced operational efficiency without the need for extensive modifications.
Enhanced Signal Detection: The ESM modules can detect and analyze a wide range of electromagnetic signals, allowing for comprehensive threat assessment.
Signal Identification and Classification: Advanced algorithms enable the ESM modules to identify and classify different types of signals, aiding in distinguishing between friendly and adversary emissions.
Real-Time Threat Alerts: With these ESM capabilities, the Do-228 aircraft can provide real-time alerts of potential threats, improving situational awareness for Navy personnel and enabling timely countermeasures.
The Indian Navy operates extensively across vast maritime regions, monitoring key strategic points and protecting India’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The addition of advanced ESM capabilities to the Do-228 fleet provides the Navy with enhanced maritime domain awareness, especially in sensitive areas where early detection of potential threats is crucial. With the indigenous ESM systems, the Navy will be better equipped to intercept and analyze radar and communication signals from hostile platforms, thereby strengthening its ability to maintain secure and effective surveillance across its operational areas.