India Boosts Self-Reliance: Homegrown Radar to Power Tejas Fighter Jets

In a major push for its defense industry, India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced a crucial upgrade to its Tejas Mk1A fighter program. Starting with the 41st aircraft, the advanced Tejas fighters will ditch imported radars in favor of the indigenously developed Uttam AESA Fire Control Radar (FCR).

India's Tech Triumph​

The Uttam AESA FCR is a significant achievement for India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). After 125 rigorous flight tests, this homegrown radar is ready for action. It has been put through its paces in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat scenarios, ensuring it's battle-ready for the Tejas Mk1A fleet.

More Power, More Potential​

The Tejas Mk1A fighters will actually get a souped-up version of the Uttam radar compared to earlier prototypes. This upgraded version packs even more power, potentially boosting its range and detection capabilities.

Beyond the Tejas​

Experts believe this isn't just about equipping the Tejas. The move could pave the way for India to use a single, standardized radar system across its Tejas Mk1A and the upcoming Mk2 fighters. This simplifies production and makes maintenance easier.

But it doesn't stop there. Even bigger and more powerful versions of the Uttam radar are in the works, designed to be the eyes of India's future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and to give a cutting-edge upgrade to the existing Su-30MKI fleet.

The Big Picture​

India is taking significant strides towards becoming a self-sufficient military power. The Uttam radar is proof of the country's growing technological prowess, and its inclusion in the Tejas Mk1A is a clear signal that India is serious about reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

 

[kumar]

Hoping to see good performance by uttam as compared to the isreali ones.

 

[Sandeep]

He is talking about Tejas mk1a. They have not been handed over to IAF as of now. Only after official induction can IAF loan it to anyone. Right now DRDO is testing the plane owned by HAL.

The air force already paid HAL a contract for the 87 Tejas MK1A jets. So any jet produced means it belongs to the air force and two MK1A and one trainer jet has already been handed over. HAL will only be testing everything out from the technology, equipment, software, jet computer and any weapons etc.

 

[Sandeep]

Which contract did you even read? One third of the 50% of the offsets were to be done in the form of ToT. The ToT of TRMs to BDL has been done and has been officially declared in press.

And on. We didn’t make Uttam on our own entirely. TRMs came from France. We are mostly fine tuning the software.

The offset had no specific clause that France would give that radar technology away. Otherwise it would harm their potential sale for the much larger 114 jet contract as we wouldn’t require anymore radars which would harm their income and ruin their business. If you know that their was some set of agreement which wouldn’t make common sense then send me a link to prove it.