SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
According to a recent report by India Today, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence manufacturer, has decided to equip all 73 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets with imported radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems, reversing its commitment to integrate the indigenously developed Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and Swayam Raksha Kavach (SRK) Electronic Warfare suite designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
This decision has sparked debate about India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. HAL’s move to issue a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Israeli firm ELTA Systems for the supply of radars and EW suites highlights pragmatic concerns but also raises questions about the readiness of India’s indigenous defence technologies.
The Tejas Mk1A is an advanced variant of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), designed to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat capabilities with improved avionics, radar, and electronic warfare systems. HAL had initially committed to equipping the Tejas Mk1A with the DRDO-developed Uttam AESA radar and SRK EW suite from 41st aircraft onwards, aligning with India’s goal of reducing reliance on foreign defence equipment. These indigenous systems were touted as critical components to enhance the Tejas Mk1A’s operational capabilities, offering advanced target detection, tracking, and electronic countermeasures against modern threats.
The Uttam AESA radar, developed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), is designed to provide superior detection range, multi-target tracking, and resistance to jamming compared to traditional mechanically scanned radars. Similarly, the SRK EW suite, developed by DRDO’s Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL), aims to protect aircraft from missile threats and electronic attacks through advanced countermeasures. Both systems were seen as milestones in India’s quest for self-reliance in defence technology.
According to India Today, HAL has issued a Letter of Intent to ELTA Systems, an Israeli defence electronics firm, for the supply of the ELM-2052 AESA radar and the Scorpius-SP EW pod for the all of the Tejas Mk1A jets that has been ordered. The ELM-2052, a proven radar system, offers robust performance with multi-mode capabilities, including air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. The Scorpius-SP EW pod provides advanced electronic countermeasures, enhancing the aircraft’s survivability in contested environments. Notably, the ELM-2052 radars will be locally assembled by HAL in collaboration with ELTA Systems, ensuring some level of technology transfer and local production.
The decision to opt for Israeli systems stems from delays in the certification and integration of the Uttam AESA radar and SRK EW suite. Sources cited in the India Today report indicate that the indigenous systems have faced challenges in meeting the IAF’s stringent certification requirements, particularly regarding performance reliability and integration with the Tejas Mk1A platform. These delays have prompted HAL to prioritize operational readiness and delivery timelines for the IAF, which is keen to induct the Tejas Mk1A to replace its aging fleet of MiG-21s.
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