SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, a significant milestone in India’s defense technology was unveiled with the showcase of an Indigenous Very High Frequency (VHF) Radar system. Operating within the VHF band (30 to 300 MHz), this radar is designed to detect very low observable (VLO) aircraft—such as stealth fighters—that are engineered to evade conventional radar systems. This advanced system enhances India’s radar capabilities, providing a key advantage in countering modern aerial threats.
The VHF radar’s range has been confirmed to idrw.org as an impressive 400 km, a considerable achievement for a truck-based mobile VHF radar system. The ability to detect aircraft at this range enables it to provide early warning and surveillance capabilities over a vast area, significantly strengthening air defense networks. This range is particularly valuable for monitoring and tracking aircraft in both defensive and offensive operations.
The radar system is mounted on two TATRA vehicles, allowing it to be quickly deployed to different locations, adapting to a variety of operational environments. The use of TATRA vehicles enhances the radar’s mobility, making it strategically versatile for rapid relocation, a crucial factor in dynamic security situations where threats may arise unexpectedly.
This mobility is particularly beneficial for a country like India, where securing large and diverse borders demands quick responsiveness and flexibility in defense systems. The VHF radar can be positioned at forward bases, ensuring comprehensive coverage and real-time data on potential aerial threats.
One of the key capabilities of this radar system is its potential to detect advanced stealth aircraft, such as the Chinese-made J-35A fighters, which Pakistan is reportedly set to acquire. The radar’s ability to operate in the VHF band is crucial for identifying low-observable, fifth-generation fighter jets, such as the J-35A, which are designed to minimize radar signatures on conventional systems.
Conventional radar systems typically struggle to detect stealth aircraft, which are optimized to avoid detection by using advanced materials and shapes that reduce radar cross-section (RCS). However, VHF radar operates at much lower frequencies than conventional radar systems, which enables it to detect objects that would otherwise be difficult to spot. The longer wavelength of VHF radar is less affected by stealth technologies, which often work by reducing high-frequency radar reflections. As a result, VHF radar systems can track aircraft like the J-35A when they operate at longer ranges, even if they are designed to evade detection on conventional systems.
This capability is particularly important in scenarios where fifth-generation fighters, such as the J-35A, take off from forward airbases. The VHF radar can pick up the aircraft as soon as they lift off, providing valuable time for response. With its 400 km detection range, this radar system ensures that the stealth fighters’ movements can be tracked early, allowing defense forces to implement countermeasures or prepare for further action.
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