India's LRDE and BEL Unveil Anti-Stealth VHF Radar, "Staring Capability" Provides Unmatched Surveillance of Stealth Aircraft and Platforms

In a significant development for India's defence capabilities, a cutting-edge Anti-Stealth VHF Radar, jointly developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), was launched at BEL's Ghaziabad facility.

This advanced radar system represents a major stride in indigenous defence technology, specifically designed to counter the challenges posed by stealth technology.

The newly unveiled radar boasts enhanced surveillance features, including a unique "staring capability." This feature enables the detection of stealth targets at extended ranges, effectively challenging the effectiveness of stealth aircraft and other low-observable platforms. This breakthrough provides the Indian military with a considerable strategic advantage in aerial surveillance and defence.

VHF (Very High Frequency) radars, while traditionally offering lower resolution compared to higher frequency systems, are known for their longer wavelength, which can be more effective at detecting objects designed to minimize radar cross-section, a key characteristic of stealth technology.

The launch event included a demonstration of the radar's capabilities, highlighting its ability to detect and track targets with reduced radar cross-sections. This capability addresses a long-standing challenge in military technology.

"The development of this Anti-Stealth VHF Radar showcases the innovation and technical expertise within India’s defence research and manufacturing sectors," a senior LRDE official stated at the launch ceremony. "This system will be instrumental in protecting our airspace and will significantly contribute to our national security."

The radar will be prominently displayed at Aero India 2025, providing a global platform for showcasing this technological achievement. Aero India, a prominent event for defence professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide, will offer an ideal opportunity to demonstrate India’s advancements in radar technology and stealth detection to an international audience.

This exposure could potentially lead to international collaborations and exports of this strategically important technology.

The system not only strengthens India's air defence network but also positions the nation as a significant player in the global radar technology market. The development of such technology is crucial in the context of evolving aerial warfare tactics that increasingly rely on stealth capabilities.

 

[PKPRS]

Voronezh already does this, it’s good to have more for better coverage.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Welcome development. Need such radars with 500NM range.

 

[Hari Sud]

Do Chinese and Pakistanis still go for stealth fighters. The latter are bad in manoeuvrability but good in hiding themselves. With new radar, they can't even hide.

 

[Preet]

Can it happen that the location of stealth jets can be provided to the fighter jet's display, so that even a 4th gen jet can have a lock on a 5th gen and fire?

Because if this integration can be done between these VHF ground radars and the aerial assets, then it basically ends the Chinese threat! Or I should say, would give a perfect counterbalance to India!

 

[beencensured]

Voronezh already does this, it’s good to have more for better coverage.

But up to what distance and accuracy? Some people on this forum say Russia does not have AESA technology.

 

[beencensured]

Can it happen that the location of stealth jets can be provided to the fighter jet's display, so that even a 4th gen jet can have a lock on a 5th gen and fire?

Because if this integration can be done between these VHF ground radars and the aerial assets, then it basically ends the Chinese threat! Or I should say, would give a perfect counterbalance to India!

It is called network centric warfare and yes it can be used to get a stealth plane.

 

[ramdas]

Then technology should be in our Tejas fighters and AMCA.

 

[kumar]

Need more such anti stealth technology to take care of J36 or whatever that 3 engined china thing is called as.

 

[Preet]

It is called network centric warfare and yes it can be used to get a stealth plane.

Bro🤣 I know that, but it isn't as easy as it sounds. Ground radars can detect a fighter jet alright. For detection, you track the velocity, but to track and lock it, you need to track its acceleration, and only then is a flight curve made.

So even though a ground station can detect, and even if a missile is fired from the fighter jet by the location provided by ground radar, even then, no radar can guide the missile, because ground radar can't guide, and the fighter's radar anyway is unable to see stealth 🙂

That's why I asked, if they are able to detect, can they provide the lock 😅

 

[Kira]

Do Chinese and Pakistanis still go for stealth fighters. The latter are bad in manoeuvrability but good in hiding themselves. With new radar, they can't even hide.

This type of radar only works at relatively close ranges and isn't accurate or precise enough to direct weapons at a stealthy target anyway. Also, since yesterday, PGMs are widely available, 5th-gen fighters can simply release their munitions and fly back towards safety.

 

[Enforcer]

Secretly bring this to Aero India and see how well it works against SU57. Would have been nice to see against F35 too but oh well.

 

[PKPRS]

But up to what distance and accuracy? Some people on this forum say Russia does not have AESA technology.

Russia doesn't have AESA, that's a pure BS, they are one of the best in Radar tech.

 

[beencensured]

Bro🤣 I know that, but it isn't as easy as it sounds. Ground radars can detect a fighter jet alright. For detection, you track the velocity, but to track and lock it, you need to track its acceleration, and only then is a flight curve made.

So even though a ground station can detect, and even if a missile is fired from the fighter jet by the location provided by ground radar, even then, no radar can guide the missile, because ground radar can't guide, and the fighter's radar anyway is unable to see stealth 🙂

That's why I asked, if they are able to detect, can they provide the lock 😅

Remember, they are not telling what the technology is exactly, and yes, there is a possibility of long-range guidance and terminal guidance. Remember, India has planned for an air defence shield like the S-400, having long-range capability, but I have no details on radar capabilities.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a major technological advancement that we desperately need. We need to start manufacturing them 100% indigenously and integrate it with our air defence system and command. It’s unclear what the range is but the longer it has then it’s better for us.

We should deploy these systems on the LAC first and test it against the Chinese so called stealth fighter even though it really isn’t a stealth fighter. This will help us to research and perfect the technology so it’s continuously evolving and improving its range and RCS detection capability.