SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a major stride toward self-reliance in defense technology, the upgraded Uttam Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, developed for the Tejas MkII fighter jet, has officially entered production. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), has confirmed that deliveries of the radar are scheduled to be completed before the rollout of the Tejas MkII prototype, planned for late October or early November 2025. This milestone underscores India’s growing expertise in advanced avionics and its commitment to equipping the Indian Air Force (IAF) with cutting-edge, indigenous systems.
The upgraded Uttam GaN-based AESA radar, an evolution of the earlier Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)-based Uttam radar, features over 900 Transmit/Receive (T/R) modules, a significant increase from the 912 T/R modules in the Uttam Mk1 variant. This enhancement is made possible by the larger nose cone of the Tejas MkII, which provides additional space for more T/R modules, boosting the radar’s detection range, tracking accuracy, and multi-target engagement capabilities. The GaAs-based Uttam radar has already been successfully tested on the Tejas Mk1 Limited Series Production (LSP) aircraft, completing 125 developmental flights by April 2024, demonstrating its reliability in air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea modes.
The transition to GaN technology marks a technological leap for India’s aerospace sector. Compared to GaAs, GaN offers higher power density, better heat dissipation, and improved resistance to electronic countermeasures, potentially extending the radar’s detection range by 20-25% and enhancing its performance in dense electromagnetic environments. With over 900 T/R modules, the Uttam GaN-based radar is expected to detect fighter-sized targets beyond 150 km, track multiple targets simultaneously, and engage several threats at once, aligning the Tejas MkII with global fourth-generation fighter standards.
In March 2025, the DRDO placed orders for the production of the upgraded Uttam radar with a Astra Microwave Products Ltd, reflecting India’s push to involve domestic industry in defense manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The production timeline aligns with the Tejas MkII’s development schedule, with HAL planning the rollout of the first prototype by late October or early November 2025, followed by its maiden flight in early 2026.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.