India Pursues Russian Container-S OTH Anti-Stealth Radar System, Offering Over 3000km Early Warning against Stealth Aircraft and Ballistic Missiles

India Pursues Russian Container-S OTH Anti-Stealth Radar System, Offering Over 3000km Early Warning against Stealth Aircraft and Ballistic Missiles


India and Russia are once again in talks regarding India's potential purchase of the sophisticated "Container-S" over-the-horizon (OTH) radar, also known as the 29B6 "Container." Sources familiar with the matter indicate these discussions are proceeding on a government-to-government basis.

This renewed engagement comes as both countries are also reportedly considering a similar direct governmental agreement for Russia's Voronezh OTH radar.

These moves suggest India is actively working to significantly strengthen its air defence systems, particularly against difficult-to-detect stealth aircraft and long-distance aerial threats.

The Container-S is described as a state-of-the-art Russian over-the-horizon radar designed for monitoring vast airspace and detecting ballistic missiles from very far away.

It can reportedly identify airborne threats, such as stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles, at distances greater than 3,000 kilometers and at altitudes beyond the reach of many standard radar systems.

Over-the-horizon radars like the Container-S achieve such long ranges by bouncing radio waves off the Earth's ionosphere, allowing them to 'see' beyond the curve of the Earth.

The first operational Container radar system, situated near Kovylkino in Russia's Mordovia region, began service in December 2013 and was declared fully combat-ready in 2019. Russia has plans to establish a second such radar site in Kaliningrad.

Acquiring the Container-S radar would support India's ongoing efforts to upgrade its national air defence network. This move is seen as a response to changing security challenges in the region, especially the development of stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles by potential adversaries.

The presence of advanced platforms like China's J-20 stealth fighter, and reports of interest from other nations in acquiring similar capabilities, are prompting India to focus on technologies that can counter these low-observable threats and help preserve its strategic military balance.

The Container-S system's capacity to detect such targets from great distances would greatly improve India's ability to monitor its airspace and receive timely warnings of potential attacks.

The discussions for a government-to-government agreement for the Container-S are reportedly part of a wider framework of defence collaboration between India and Russia, which also encompasses negotiations for the Voronezh OTH radar. Government-to-government deals in defence often facilitate the transfer of sensitive technologies and can streamline procurement processes.

The Container-S radar's adaptable, modular construction and its extensive reach would make it a valuable addition to India's current air defence assets, which include the S-400 missile system and locally developed ballistic missile defence programs.

Incorporating the Container-S radar into India's defence infrastructure is expected to create a stronger shield against a wide range of aerial threats, from conventional aircraft to more advanced systems.

Its capability to spot targets at very high altitudes and across enormous distances would allow the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other defence services to react swiftly and effectively to possible airspace violations or missile attacks.

Furthermore, the radar's design, known as a bistatic OTH configuration (where the transmitter and receiver are in different locations), improves its ability to operate effectively even when faced with electronic jamming attempts, making it a vital tool in complex security situations.

Key Features of the Container-S Radar​

The 29B6 Container-S radar system is distinguished by several advanced characteristics.

It operates as a bistatic over-the-horizon radar, meaning its transmitter and receiver components are geographically separated, and it uses high-frequency (HF) radio waves, reportedly employing surface wave propagation techniques for improved detection.

Key operational attributes include its capacity for long-range detection, spotting airborne targets over 3,000 kilometers away, which is crucial for early warning.

It is also specifically engineered for tracking ballistic missiles, significantly boosting strategic defence.

The system provides thorough long-distance airspace surveillance, vital for identifying stealth aircraft. It can detect objects at altitudes up to 100 kilometers and offers a wide surveillance arc of 240 degrees, covering extensive geographical areas.

Its receiving antenna array, consisting of 144 masts, reflects a modular design that allows for flexibility and future upgrades.

The existing operational radar in Mordovia, Russia, and a future one planned for Kaliningrad highlight its strategic value.
 
Wow, Container-S Radar has less detection range compared to the Voronezh Radar system, which has over 4000 km.
 
Detecting stealth jets using ground-based radars is very difficult. We need LEO satellites for that in high numbers.
 
Just buying radars will not solve the problem. It's good, but India needs a 5th-gen jet as a stop-gap purchase until AMCA. AMCA will not become a reality before 2040, thanks to all the stakeholders.

India cannot afford both China and Pakistan to fly 5th-gen jets nearby its border. Three to four squadrons of SU57 along with upgraded Sukhoi and Tejas Mk1A (Tejas MK2 is also delayed) and Rafale will give India a required boost, along with unmanned platforms, drones, etc. India is already doing well in radars and air defence systems. Buy a few extra S400s if required. This is the best-case scenario.
 
Detecting stealth jets using ground-based radars is very difficult. We need LEO satellites for that in high numbers.
We need a limited number of 5th gen jets also. Just only deploying radars will not solve the problem. SU-57 is the cheapest and reliable option. F-35 is the best but we know the mentality of the US, but whatever it is, we need any 5th gen jet ASAP.
 
Long range anti stealth radar is absolute necessity. With something like Voronezh long range OTH we can keep eye on mainland China, the IOR and South China sea region
 
Wow, Container-S Radar has less detection range compared to the Voronezh Radar system, which has over 4000 km.
Cost is a factor. Out immediate threats are from criminal Jihadi countries nearby & expansionist communists Both are to be taken care
 
This is not new technology. It was used in WW2 by both sides. Its long range is available because it uses VHF unlike modern radars which use microwaves. But its resolution is bad, and needs interpretation.
 
Good decision. We must buy off-the-shelf technologies which we don't have or will take time to develop from Russia, rather than just being a customer and continuing to import. I think we should work with Russia on an engine for Tejas, since Russia has come a long way in engine technology. Just depending on the West, especially America, will only lengthen the process and a solution will always be unreachable. Keep the AMCA engine with RR, but we still need an engine for Tejas. The GE-414 will never happen with America, looking at the approach these Americans have.
 
Good . Detecting and thwarting their stealth jets is a priority than buying or developing a stealth fighter jet for defence. As we have seen our attack is mainly served by missiles and drones . Anyway reaching mainland china with stealth jets is difficult and complicated. For pakistan we urgently need to stop their stealth fighters rather than we buying costly stealth fighters.
 
Detecting stealth jets using ground-based radars is very difficult. We need LEO satellites for that in high numbers.
These radars use the ionospheric reflections, so they get a top view of the aircraft where they are not very stealth optimised. And they use different frequencies where stealth jets are optimised for X-band.

Radars need very high power, and it's hard for satellites to have that kind of power generation. Either way, both are only for detection, and to actually intercept the aircraft or missiles, you will anyway need powerful fire control radars separately on ground/in air.
 
India has already made a significant amount of progress by 100% indigenously designing, developing and manufacturing our own stealth radars which can be quickly deployed and moved around to wherever it’s needed. We should continue to make and deploy more of our own radars.

India needs to buy this S container radar so that it can cover the entire border and country of Pakistan based on the long range it has. This will allow us to monitor all of its air traffic easily. We need to buy the Voronezh radar and deploy it against China as that will allow us to monitor their air traffic and give us plenty of early warning on any incoming threat from missiles and jets.
 
Why not just sign the S-500 joint manufacturing offer by Russia? It can detect stealth jets at 600 km. LRDE is already making an OTHR; expediting that is common sense. And radars alone can't take out fifth-gen jets. India needs either F-35 or Su-57 to be able to fire BVRAAMs from high altitude undetected.
 
We need a limited number of 5th gen jets also. Just only deploying radars will not solve the problem. SU-57 is the cheapest and reliable option. F-35 is the best but we know the mentality of the US, but whatever it is, we need any 5th gen jet ASAP.
Su-57 has no stealth.
 
Su-57 has no stealth.
May be IAF once again joins this as development partner. Earlier, IAF pointed out some 30-40 recommendations. If these are worked upon by Russia, IAF can go ahead. The first batch will be with AL-41 and the second batch with AL-51 with a flat 2D nozzle.
 
We should buy Container-S Radar and Voronezh Radar system and integrate in our Inter radar system. Then the system would be able to reach at a different level. This is for threat detection.
After that we need to counter that threat, we need to buy SU-57 as well.
 

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