LRDE Seeks Private Sector Partner to Co-Develop Virupaksha AESA Radar for Su-30MKI Upgrade

In a major move to boost the combat effectiveness of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) has formally invited Indian companies to co-develop and produce an advanced radar system for the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet.

LRDE, a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), issued the call for partnership on July 18, 2025, marking a critical step in the aircraft's "Super-30" modernisation program.

The project centres on the development of the Virupaksha, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This state-of-the-art system is set to replace the existing Russian-made N011M Bars passive array radars, significantly enhancing the Su-30MKI’s capabilities.

The Virupaksha radar represents a substantial technological leap. AESA radars, unlike older systems, can track numerous targets in multiple directions simultaneously without mechanical movement, offering superior speed, precision, and reliability.

The Virupaksha is designed with approximately 2,400–2,600 Transmit/Receive Modules built using Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. This advanced material allows the radar to be more powerful, efficient, and about 30-40% lighter than its predecessor, a crucial advantage in aviation.

With these advancements, the Virupaksha radar will transform the Su-30MKI's operational abilities.

It is projected to have a detection range of 300 to 400 kilometres for fighter-sized targets and can track between 64 and 100 targets at once. This capability will effectively turn the aircraft into a "mini-AWACS" (Airborne Warning and Control System), enabling it to detect low-observable stealth aircraft, such as the J-20, from significant distances.

Further enhancing its versatility, the radar features a unique repositioner that allows it to be steered mechanically, greatly expanding its field of view.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks a Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) from the Indian private sector.

Prominent domestic firms with expertise in defence manufacturing and avionics are considered contenders, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), HAL, Data Patterns, and Astra Microwave Products Limited, among others.

The selected company will work alongside LRDE, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). This collaboration will initially produce two to four radar units for flight testing, with mass production scheduled to begin after 2025.

This development is a cornerstone of the IAF’s broader Super-30 Program, an ambitious plan to upgrade 84 aircraft from its Su-30MKI fleet starting in 2026.

The entire program is estimated to cost ₹65,000 crore ($7.8 billion) and includes a complete overhaul of the cockpit with modern digital displays and the integration of next-generation weaponry, such as the long-range Astra Mk3 missile.

These upgrades are designed to extend the service life of the Su-30MKI by three decades, ensuring it remains a formidable asset against modern aerial threats.

Engineers have designed the Virupaksha radar for seamless integration. Its "plug-and-play" nature allows it to fit into the Su-30MKI's existing nose cone without requiring major structural modifications.

Furthermore, it is compatible with the aircraft's current AL-31F engines, a key factor in minimising the time and cost associated with the upgrade process.

 

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[sanket]

Good, that's the advantage of the Russian platform. Unlike the French, they demand a hefty amount or deny; it's going to be done without OEM help. Second, some fools were not accepting the innovative repositioner antenna which can steer on both sides. That's an eye-opener for comedians who were saying it can move. TRMs are exceeding over 2400 with the bigger nose cone, and 300 KM to KM detection coupled with the GANDIV A2A missile will be a deadly combo. Looks like Data Pattern will win.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

GaAs-based Uttam AESA could not be completed in seven to eight years; they say it is not yet certified. Will they be able to start production of GaN-based Virupaksha by the end of 2025?

 

[sunilanalysis]

Now, a new radar is a must, as very long-range BVRAAMs otherwise won't work. Previously, using standoff and coming back was the modus operandi. Then, using the excuse "outranged by enemy BVRAAMs."

Now, at least to carry very long-range BVRAAMs, a new radar is required. What's funny is, some defence sources claimed some of the Rafales during Sindoor did not carry Meteors and only carried standoff weapons (I don't know the truth, but it came from a reasonably good defence source).

DRDO should invest in intercepting SAMs and AAMs, even more now that other SAM AD missiles are working well in wars. This is the most striking need along with Astra 3, as a lot of times India lacks vision in using BVRAAMs; at least these interceptor missiles will protect the aircraft.

 

[sanket]

GaAs-based Uttam AESA could not be completed in seven to eight years; they say it is not yet certified. Will they be able to start production of GaN-based Virupaksha by the end of 2025?

Initially, 2 to 4 GaN-based AESA radars will be produced as a testbed for testing, validation, and certification, while simultaneously, full-scale production will start from 2026. That means by the time certification is finished, this Virupaksha AESA Radar will be production-ready to be integrated on Super Sukhoi.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

I would be happy if the radar is certified by 2030. It does take a long time to perfect the system—just see how long the Uttam took. But now the advantage is that we have learned a lot from the Uttam integration, which is still not 100%. The other one is developing software algorithms when the radar is turned 90 degrees left or right, which is a tremendous advantage in guiding AAMs while staying out of the Doppler effect of the enemy aircraft. Again, putting together all these systems—i.e., EW jammer pod and RWR—so that they don't interfere with each other. One of the main hiccups we faced in the Uttam radar is the cooling system for the AESA radar. Ultimately, we got Israeli help. It seems we have designed a desi one now. A larger cooling system has to be made, which will be a challenge. We can fire up the AESA radar to any power, but cooling that is a major hurdle where the designers have to arrive at the max power radiating level to design the cooling system as well.

There are many more modes and functions in an AESA radar: EW jamming, long-range simultaneously guiding multiple long-range missiles, and many, many more. The Rafale RBE radar took a very long time to get certified as well. The other important role of the radar is NOE flying (Nap-of-the-Earth flying), where the radar senses the terrain in front and side and takes control of the flight, bringing down the height of the fighter to 50 ft at 700 km/h! One Indian journo experienced that when the Rafale was being demonstrated. A human cannot fly so low at those speeds, and just one millisecond mistake can mean the fighter slamming into the sea.

We should also be aware that China has already equipped its Su-27 fighters with AESA radars and has developed SEAD and DEAD specific Su-27 fighters equipped with AESA radars and jammers for various radar frequencies, from high to low. These are used as escort jammers to protect the strike fleet. All the Su-30MKI UPg have to be data-linked so that the AESA radar scans of one are shared by all other fighters.

 

[Sandeep]

India has made a lot of progress in developing our own indigenous radars. We need to continue our research and get the radar certified as soon as possible for. This radar will give us a very long detection range that’s more than 400km and it will be lighter.

We need to urgently start the Super Sukhoi program so we can overhaul the technology and equipment and improve our jets capabilities and give us an advantage.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Initially, 2 to 4 GaN-based AESA radars will be produced as a testbed for testing, validation, and certification, while simultaneously, full-scale production will start from 2026. That means by the time certification is finished, this Virupaksha AESA Radar will be production-ready to be integrated on Super Sukhoi.

The point is, they took 7+ years for Uttam, it is not yet ready for integration due to certification. How will Virupaksha be ready in 2-3 years?

 

[Franklin D'souza]

Know that the SU-30MKI has an engine issue with the addition of Virupaksha. We need to urgently work on upgrading the engine plus the addition of laser killers. It would need additional battery storage to generate the power required. Can the airplane skin be used to generate the power required?

 

[sanket]

The point is, they took 7+ years for Uttam, it is not yet ready for integration due to certification. How will Virupaksha be ready in 2-3 years?

It will take three to four years for testing to certification. Its plug-and-play design ensures seamless integration.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

It will take three to four years for testing to certification. Its plug-and-play design ensures seamless integration.

Let's hope that it doesn't take Uttam like timelines.

 

[Dredd]

The point is, they took 7+ years for Uttam, it is not yet ready for integration due to certification. How will Virupaksha be ready in 2-3 years?

It won't be ready, that's the hard truth. Also, where is the data pattern Hawk-i radar that was showcased in Aero India 2025 with 2700 TRMs? It also featured a swash controller unit, making it more advanced than the Virupaksha radar.