India's advancements in radar technology could significantly enhance the capabilities of Russia's Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, should India decide to collaborate on the project.
A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official recently disclosed details of a Russian proposal involving the transfer of technology for the Su-57, with a focus on India's superior radar systems.
The key to this potential upgrade lies in India's development of Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars. These systems offer a considerable performance advantage over the older Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) technology currently used in many radar systems.
According to the IAF official, India has made substantial progress in GaN-based AESA radar technology, exceeding Russia's current capabilities. GaN offers improved efficiency, power, heat management, and detection range, making it essential for advanced radar systems.
Specifically, India's Uttam GaN AESA radar, currently under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, is being considered as a potential upgrade for the Su-57.
While the Su-57's current N036 Byelka radar, an X-band AESA radar, is an improvement over older designs, it reportedly still relies on GaAs technology.
Sources indicate that the N036 contains 1,514 transmit/receive modules. In contrast, the Uttam radar utilizes GaN technology and features over 1,400 transmit/receive modules, granting it enhanced range, resolution, and the ability to track multiple targets simultaneously.
The integration of the Indian-made Uttam radar into the Su-57 is presented as a way to significantly boost the aircraft's combat capabilities. This aligns with India's broader strategy of incorporating domestically produced technology into its defense systems. The IAF Official stated that the Uttam GaN AESA radar could be a excellent fit on the Su-57.
Russia's proposal for Su-57 includes provisions for a technology transfer, potentially allowing India to integrate its own systems, like the Uttam radar. The IAF official explained that they have made better progress than Russia in some areas, including radar technology, and the Russian proposal for technology transfer could mean incorporating Indian systems on the Russian jet.
Beyond the Su-57, adopting the Uttam radar would offer the IAF logistical and economic advantages. Because the Uttam is also planned for use in future variants of the Tejas, the AMCA, and potentially upgraded Su-30MKIs and Mirage-2000s, integrating it into the Su-57 would standardize radar systems across a significant portion of the IAF's fleet. This commonality could simplify maintenance, training, and overall logistics.
Although Russia has formally offered the Su-57 to India, the IAF is still carefully considering its options. The official confirmed the offer but stated that the IAF is continuing its evaluation process. This evaluation likely involves a comprehensive review of the IAF's needs for a fifth-generation fighter, weighing the Su-57 against other options, such as the American F-35, or potentially speeding up the AMCA program with international partners.
