India and Russia in Advanced Talks for Long-Range Early Warning Radar System with 6,000km Detection Range

India and Russia are reportedly close to finalizing a major defence deal for an advanced early warning radar system with a detection range exceeding 6,000 kilometers. According to a report by The Sunday Guardian, the deal, valued at over $4 billion, is in the final stages of negotiation and reflects India's commitment to strengthening its air defence and missile tracking capabilities.

A delegation from Almaz-Antey, a leading Russian defence company specializing in air defence and radar systems, recently visited India to further the discussions. The ten-member team, led by Deputy Chairman Vladimir Medovnikov, held meetings in New Delhi and Bengaluru with Indian offset partners who will play a crucial role in manufacturing and technology transfer under the "Make in India" initiative.

The radar system under consideration is believed to be part of Almaz-Antey's Voronezh series, a state-of-the-art early warning radar designed to detect ballistic missiles, aircraft, and other aerial threats. With a detection range of 6,000 to 8,000 kilometers, depending on the specific model and frequency band, this system is a critical component of Russia's missile defence and space surveillance network.

While it remains unclear whether India will acquire an existing Voronezh radar or a custom-upgraded version, the system's capabilities would place India alongside global powers like the United States, China, and Russia, which currently operate similar long-range radar systems.

In line with India's defence localization strategy, at least 60% of the system is expected to be manufactured domestically by Indian partners. This not only strengthens India's defence industrial base but also ensures cost-efficiency and technological self-reliance.

Chitradurga, Karnataka, known for its existing defence and aerospace testing facilities, is likely to be the site for the radar system's installation. Its strategic location and existing infrastructure make it well-suited for housing such a critical asset.

Acquiring a radar system with such an extensive range will significantly enhance India's missile defence and early warning capabilities. It will allow India to detect and track ballistic missile launches and other aerial threats from much greater distances, providing valuable time for response and mitigation.

 

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[sanket]

Wow! Great range, 6000 KM. Stealth fighter jets can be easily detected, another worry for Uncle Sam. If Bharat buys this early warning radar system after the S-400 air-defense system, then the F-35 will not be sold.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Heard it can track football size target 6,000 KMs away. How may of them for 4 billion? Can it detect 5th gen jets early?

 

[The Presence]

Heard it can track football size target 6,000 KMs away. How may of them for 4 billion? Can it detect 5th gen jets early?

It got folded by a simple drone.

 

[The Presence]

Knowing Russia's horrendous Radar industry which gets humiliated time and again, DRDO could have developed a similar, if not better, system within 5-6 years given proper funding.

 

[Sir Capt]

Again. Violating international sanctions and assisting Russia. Sad.

 

[Sos]

Again. Violating international sanctions and assisting Russia. Sad.

They are eager to give technology to other countries. Stealth radars are very important to fight J-20 and J-31 fighters (China has 200 J-20s, and Pakistan in the next 2 years will receive an initial lot of J-31... 40 jets in total will be bought).

Besides, why should we bother about a European country that supplied ammo to Pakistan in the Kargil war? The USA also left millions, if not billions, of dollars worth of equipment that can easily be used to cause a ruckus in Kashmir. Did they think about Indian security?

 

[ramdas]

BEL could have done this. Atmanirbharta has gone for a toss. Can change the policy as it pleases. Wasting $4 billion. Is it so complicated to build one? With so many sanctions on Russia, how are they going to evade transactions in dollar currency?

 

[Varaaah]

Ok. But how will they program the software? To detect what? Will the radar detect a missile that is fired 5 seconds ago? That would be very useful.

 

[Sandeep]

Again. Violating international sanctions and assisting Russia. Sad.

Technically we aren’t as this is a strategic move. Also we don’t trade in dollars with Russia but in rupee and rubble instead.

 

[Sandeep]

BEL could have done this. Atmanirbharta has gone for a toss. Can change the policy as it pleases. Wasting $4 billion. Is it so complicated to build one? With so many sanctions on Russia, how are they going to evade transactions in dollar currency?

No they couldn’t. To develop such a large, complex and powerful radar is complex along with the metal composition. Also to test the radar takes a long time so your looking at about 8–10 years before a system comes online. These are very long range radars which are very advanced and it can pick up a very small amount of RCS. These are probably for strategic reasons for early warning against ballistic, hypersonic, stealth and even space.

 

[alpha numeric]

It got folded by a simple drone.

Just checked, Not a lie. Apparently on May 26, 2024, a Ukrainian drone struck a Russian Voronezh M radar system in Orsk, Orenburg Oblast. Low resolution satellite images show burn marks on the radar.

 

[beencensured]

Knowing Russia's horrendous Radar industry which gets humiliated time and again, DRDO could have developed a similar, if not better, system within 5-6 years given proper funding.

Actually, India has developed 2000-3000 km long range radar Sastra. So, India can develop given time. This might be emergency procurement.

 

[tipoo2]

Heard it can track football size target 6,000 KMs away. How may of them for 4 billion? Can it detect 5th gen jets early?

Detection Range∝RCS ^1/4

It would be able to detect fifth gen, but fifth gen will cut its detection range as a fourth root, so you can think about it shrinking the detection bubble and if not well planned being able to fly around them by that law

 

[Sandeep]

It’s not clear which radar we are purchasing but these radars will be advanced and powerful. Most likely it can track a very small target from ballistic or hypersonic missiles, jets and in space. Hopefully these are the last type of radar we import.

 

[tipoo2]

Wow! Great range, 6000 KM. Stealth fighter jets can be easily detected, another worry for Uncle Sam. If Bharat buys this early warning radar system after the S-400 air-defense system, then the F-35 will not be sold.

6000km for a target of a set size. Detection Range ∝ RCS^1/4.

Low RCS targets like fifth-gen fighters and stealth missiles cut detection range by the fourth root, so you can think about it shrinking the detection bubble, and if not well planned, being able to fly around them by that law. It's not 6000km against any target, and further, it is an early warning system after all, and it gives more time for higher-frequency targeting radars to try to spot what's coming.

 

[ramdas]

No they couldn’t. To develop such a large, complex and powerful radar is complex along with the metal composition. Also to test the radar takes a long time so your looking at about 8–10 years before a system comes online. These are very long range radars which are very advanced and it can pick up a very small amount of RCS. These are probably for strategic reasons for early warning against ballistic, hypersonic, stealth and even space.

Americans don’t have it ? These long range radars are useless against hypersonic missiles, Russia has proved repeatedly in Ukraine. Also how many storm shadow missiles have done damage to Russia. Have these Radars proved useful. $4 billion is a waste

 

[Shiva]

This is awesome.
No two countries can develop a single system of this highly strategic and capable system except the one and only Indo-Russian pair.

 

[Sandeep]

Americans don’t have it ? These long range radars are useless against hypersonic missiles, Russia has proved repeatedly in Ukraine. Also how many storm shadow missiles have done damage to Russia. Have these Radars proved useful. $4 billion is a waste

First of all a radar’s job is to detect only. But you also need the capabilities to intercept any incoming threat as well and if you don’t have that then obviously the radar is at threat of getting destroyed. Also no news has been issued by the government or military so let’s see what or if a deal will take place.

 

[The Presence]

Detection Range∝RCS ^1/4

It would be able to detect fifth gen, but fifth gen will cut its detection range as a fourth root, so you can think about it shrinking the detection bubble and if not well planned being able to fly around them by that law

It's not a blank formula, but depends on the RCS of the specific platform we are talking about.

Suppose we are talking about an Su-57 with an RCS of 0.1m² and and F-35 with 0.0001m². Then we can say that the F-35 is 1000x more stealthier than the Su-57.

So in this case, a specific radar will pick up the Su-57 (⁴√1000) = 5.6x farther away compared to an F-35.

 

[tlsmani]

What about S 400 balance deliveries.Now how r they going to get these Radars?

 

[Avada kedavra]

6000km for a target of a set size. Detection Range ∝ RCS^1/4.

Low RCS targets like fifth-gen fighters and stealth missiles cut detection range by the fourth root, so you can think about it shrinking the detection bubble, and if not well planned, being able to fly around them by that law. It's not 6000km against any target, and further, it is an early warning system after all, and it gives more time for higher-frequency targeting radars to try to spot what's coming.

Another issue is that at such long ranges the curvature of earth creates an issue.