SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a recent interview with idrw.org, a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official revealed intriguing details about Russia’s proposal for the transfer of technology (ToT) for its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter, highlighting India’s advancements in radar technology as a potential game-changer in any collaboration.
The official noted that India’s progress in Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems surpasses Russia’s current capabilities, suggesting that Indian systems, such as the Uttam GaN AESA radar under development for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), could be integrated into the Su-57 to enhance its performance. While Russia has formally offered the Su-57 to India, the IAF has yet to make a final decision on the proposal, the official confirmed.
The IAF official emphasized India’s significant strides in radar technology, particularly in the development of GaN-based AESA radars, which offer superior performance over traditional Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)-based systems. “We have developed GaN-based AESA radar, while Russian jets are yet to fully transition towards even GaAs-based AESA radar,” the official told idrw.org. GaN technology provides higher efficiency, greater power output, improved thermal management, and enhanced detection range compared to GaAs, making it a cornerstone of next-generation radar systems.
The Su-57E, Russia’s export variant of its fifth-generation fighter, is equipped with the N036 Byelka nose-mounted X-band AESA radar, which incorporates 1,514 transmit/receive (T/R) modules. While this radar represents a significant advancement over older mechanically scanned arrays, it reportedly still relies on GaAs technology, which limits its performance compared to GaN-based systems. In contrast, India’s Uttam GaN AESA radar, being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the AMCA program, features over 1,400 T/R modules and leverages GaN technology for improved range, resolution, and multi-target tracking capabilities.
“The Uttam GaN AESA radar under development for the AMCA program could be a perfect fit for the Su-57,” the official remarked, suggesting that integrating India’s advanced radar into the Russian platform could enhance its overall combat effectiveness while aligning with India’s push for indigenous technology incorporation.
The senior IAF official noted that Russia’s latest proposal includes provisions for ToT, which could allow India to integrate its own systems into the Su-57 platform. “Russia’s proposal for ToT of the Su-57 might require Indian systems incorporated over Russian systems, given our progress in areas like radar technology,” the official explained.
Integrating the Uttam radar into the Su-57 would also provide the IAF with a standardized radar system across its fleet, as the Uttam is expected to equip future variants of the Tejas, AMCA, and potentially upgraded Su-30MKIs and Mirage-2000s. This commonality could streamline maintenance, training, and logistics, offering operational and cost benefits over the long term.
The senior IAF official confirmed to idrw.org that while Russia has made a formal offer for the Su-57, the IAF is yet to decide on its course of action. “The Russians have made the Su-57 offer to India, but the IAF is still evaluating its options,” the official stated. This evaluation likely includes a broader assessment of the IAF’s fifth-generation fighter requirements, balancing the Su-57 against alternatives like the US F-35 or even accelerating the AMCA program with foreign collaboration.
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