SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has reportedly rejected the Indian Navy’s proposal to equip its Rafale M fighter jets with the DRDO-developed Uttam Fire Control Radar (FCR). The Navy had sought this upgrade to maintain commonality with the MiG-29K and the upcoming Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, both of which are slated to receive the same radar.
The decision to reject the Uttam FCR integration has sparked controversy. While the RBE2 radar on the Rafale M boasts 838 GaAs T/R modules, the Uttam FCR AESA offers 968 TR modules. Although this difference may seem marginal, the Uttam FCR’s local development provides the Navy with greater control over weapons integration, eliminating the need to rely on OEMs like Thales and Dassault for costly upgrades.
The MoD cited the cost of integrating the Uttam FCR into the Rafale M as another factor influencing their decision. Additionally, the Rafale M’s reliance on gallium arsenide (GaAs) TR modules, rather than the more advanced gallium nitride (GaN) technology, was a point of contention. GaN technology offers double the range detection but requires significant power generation and cooling capabilities. The DRDO has already developed GaN T/R modules, which are expected to be first integrated into the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
The MoD’s decision to reject the Uttam FCR for the Rafale M has sparked debate within the defence community. While some argue that the cost and technical challenges associated with the integration outweigh the benefits, others maintain that the move could hinder the Navy’s long-term modernization plans.
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