Tejas Mk1A Boasts Advanced EW Suite: Details on Swayam Raksha Kavach

India's commitment to strengthening its air defence capabilities has been underscored by the unveiling of the "Swayam Raksha Kavach" ("Self-Defence Armor") Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite.

This cutting-edge system, detailed in the Indian Ministry of Defence's annual report for 2022-23, is a major milestone in the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A program.

The Essential Role of Electronic Warfare​

In modern aerial combat, electronic warfare plays a pivotal role. Radar systems, used extensively for detection and tracking, are crucial for both offensive and defensive operations.

Electronic Warfare suites are designed to disrupt these systems, giving fighter jets a critical edge in contested airspace. The Swayam Raksha Kavach is India's answer to the growing sophistication of these electronic threats.

Key Components and Capabilities​

• State-of-the-Art Radar Warning Receiver (RWR): The heart of the EW suite is its exceptionally sensitive RWR. Built with four wideband receiver channels, it offers far greater situational awareness by detecting, classifying, and pinpointing the direction of both ground-based and airborne radar signals.
• Advanced Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ): To actively counter detected threats, the Swayam Raksha Kavach employs an ASPJ using Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology. This allows it to generate highly targeted jamming signals, scrambling enemy radar and masking the aircraft's presence.
• Comprehensive Protection: The RWR's 360-degree coverage and processing power (up to a million pulses per second) ensure the LCA Mk1A is shielded against threats from all directions and can successfully navigate even the most complex electronic warfare environments.
• Flexible Countermeasures: High Power Pulse and Continuous Wave jamming channels within the ASPJ mean the system can intelligently disrupt a diverse range of enemy radar types.

A Strategic Leap Forward​

The integration of the indigenously developed Swayam Raksha Kavach EW Suite is a transformative upgrade for the LCA Mk1A. It solidifies the aircraft's position as a highly capable and survivable platform within the Indian Air Force's arsenal.

Furthermore, this success signifies India's growing prowess in the development of technologically advanced defence systems, bolstering the nation's self-reliance in a critical domain.

 

[sanket]

Very Good News Now IAF seem very Happy even there is delay they got what they want.

 

[NSR]

India collaborated with Israel from many years and developed a world class Electronic Warfare (EW) system for its fighters and even for Navy and Army.
These indigenous EWs will only get better over years to come.
Way to go!!!

 

[Ray]

Tejas mk1a is a frontline aircraft with modern state of the art electronics. It's small in size but it'll give deep wounds to our enemies.

 

[Sridhar]

But where's the jet ?

 

[Sridhar]

Tejas mk1a is a frontline aircraft with modern state of the art electronics. It's small in size but it'll give deep wounds to our enemies.

Provided it's delivered to IAF on the agreed timelines.

 

[beencensured]

Very Good News Now IAF seem very Happy even there is delay they got what they want.

IAF is stupid as having an aircraft is better than none, and aircraft can be always upgraded latter.

 

[prabar]

But where's the jet ?

This technologically advaced jet exist on paper brother don't worry

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Tejas mk1a is a frontline aircraft with modern state of the art electronics. It's small in size but it'll give deep wounds to our enemies.

It is mainly to replace the Migs and will be used as interceptor, so small size and subsequent less range and payload capacity is not a concern.

 

[Sandeep]

But where's the jet ?

They have developed two jets already to certify the latest technology, equipment and structural changes. Now they will focus on developing the trainer jets as we need it to train our pilots and they take some time.

 

[Sandeep]

India has already developed its own 100% indigenous EW, ESM so it's unclear if they are just naming it or if they have developed a better version.

Also DRDO along with the Air Force should also be continuously researching, developing a better version and improving it whenever or wherever they can. What they shouldn't do is develop a product and leave it as it is with their job done as then they will make no progress in any future and critical technology upgrades. They need to develop and improve on it regularly.

 

[Ajath]

They have developed two jets already to certify the latest technology, equipment and structural changes. Now they will focus on developing the trainer jets as we need it to train our pilots and they take some time.

Sandeep bhai. Speed is the key. HAL need to increase TEJAS MK 1 A production rate. 90 plus orders at the rate of 18 per year will take 5 years . Ideally another 10 more TEJAS to be marked for attrition.
Next to follow - TEJAS 2. Hopefully by 2030 - 32
AMCA. - ?

 

[Pad UwU]

Love to see it in real action especially in war🔥🔥🔥🔥😺🤘

 

[Rick Golder]

Sandeep bhai. Speed is the key. HAL need to increase TEJAS MK 1 A production rate. 90 plus orders at the rate of 18 per year will take 5 years . Ideally another 10 more TEJAS to be marked for attrition.
Next to follow - TEJAS 2. Hopefully by 2030 - 32
AMCA. - ?

The production rate of Tejas mk1a will be around 8 jets in the first two year, 16 jets from 2026 and 20 jets from 2028, we could have extended the production line to 24 and 34, but GE can only give 20 engines per year, this caping the production of Tejas mk1a to only 20 jets per year. Not to mention 83 more Tejas mk1a after the initial 97 orders, making it around 180 total Tejas mk1a. So the delivery of all the Tejas mk1a will take around 2034. So for Tejas mk2 we will need a different production line.

Tejas mk2 will be ready by 2026(delayed timeline) and first flight expected by 2027, and even if I take 3-4 years of testing, Tejas mk2 will be production ready by 2030. And if IA orders Tejas mk2 parallel to Tejas mk1a, then we would definitely need a different production line for Tejas mk2, but the good thing is since the engine F414 will be indian made, this we won't have to worry about caping productions.

AMCA will be ready by 2027-28, with first flight by 2029, and even around more 3-4 years of testing, we will have AMCA production ready by 2032--33, and production shortly after from 2034.

Also before commenting "HAL won't be able to increase productivity blah blah blah", always remember that by 2030, india will be the 3rd largest economy with a GDP of around 7 trillion dollars. So obviously our production capabilities will increase too, always as our ability to fund these costly projects.

 

[Rick Golder]

This technologically advaced jet exist on paper brother don't worry

Tejas mk1a is literally flying bro, ready to be inducted in the next 2-3 months. Which jet you are talking about.

 

[Pink Panther]

IAF is stupid as having an aircraft is better than none, and aircraft can be always upgraded latter.

Yes they should induct fast and upgrade gradually, SAAB has recently added TALIOS targeting pod that is part of Rafale F4 to all Swedish Gripens, equipments like these can always be bought from outside or made locally and added any time later, but we need a local Fighter jet to do that, but these guys in IAF are not getting that, they either wanted everything at the same time that causes delays unnecessarily or wanted to buy the whole jet for a foreign country and waste all the money.

 

[Sandeep]

Sandeep bhai. Speed is the key. HAL need to increase TEJAS MK 1 A production rate. 90 plus orders at the rate of 18 per year will take 5 years . Ideally another 10 more TEJAS to be marked for attrition.
Next to follow - TEJAS 2. Hopefully by 2030 - 32
AMCA. - ?

Yes you’re absolutely correct and speed is what’s needed. It now comes down to HAL and all of the private companies to manufacture what they are supposed to and quickly. The work ethics of HAL among the medium and lower rank people need to change fast as they have a very slow, cumbersome and lazy attitude.

What HAL can do is give a few licenses to the private sector and tell them to manufacture as much of the jet that's possible as they could probably do it much quicker. If the government does that then they easily increase the amount of jets they can manufacture once combined with what HAL can manufacture.

By the end of next year we should hopefully see the first flight of Tejas 2 and if the government gives the license to the private sector again then we can easily start production if they lay out the ground work and a plan before they can start production starting from 2030 if there’s no problem with what they have developed and the technology and parts are made to the specifications.

For the AMCA it will take time and the government will have to do most of the manufacturing because it’s very expensive and we would need large numbers if we want this to be our backbone and main jet for the next 50 years. The private sector won’t have the appropriate facility, machinery and capability to develop the AMCA without having it taught to them.