Tejas Mk1A to Equip Uttam Radar from 41st Jet, Confirms DRDO Chief after Reports of HAL's Plans to Equip All 73 Jets with Israeli ELM-2052

The head of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided a significant clarification on the future of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet program, dismissing recent reports that all units of current order would be fitted with Israeli-made radars.

In a recent media interview, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO, addressed the speculation surrounding the choice of radar for the advanced indigenous aircraft.

He confirmed that while initial batches will use a foreign system, the plan is to integrate the domestically developed 'Uttam' Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar starting from the 41st aircraft.

"No, I don’t think it’s true," Dr. Kamat stated, referring to claims that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would equip all 73 jets of the current order with the Israeli ELM-2052 AESA radar. "Discussions are still underway, and the plan is to integrate the Uttam AESA radar starting from the 41st Tejas Mk1A jet."

This statement reaffirms the nation's commitment to self-reliance in critical defence technologies, a cornerstone of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' policy.

The radar system is one of the most vital components of a modern fighter jet, acting as its eyes and enabling it to detect, track, and engage multiple targets from long distances.

AESA radars represent the pinnacle of this technology, offering significant advantages over older mechanically scanned radars. By using a matrix of small, electronically controlled modules, AESA systems can scan vast areas of the sky almost instantaneously, track numerous threats simultaneously, and are more resistant to electronic jamming.

The Uttam AESA radar has been developed by DRDO's Bengaluru-based laboratory, the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE). It is a state-of-the-art system capable of tracking over 50 targets at a range of more than 100 kilometres

Its successful integration into the Tejas fleet is seen as a crucial milestone for India's defence manufacturing ecosystem.

The first 40 Tejas Mk1A jets are expected to be fitted with the proven Israeli ELM-2052 radar to ensure that production timelines and delivery schedules to the Indian Air Force (IAF) are met without delay.

The Tejas Mk1A program is vital for the IAF, which is in the process of replacing its aging fleet of MiG-21 aircraft. In 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, which includes 73 fighters and 10 trainers.

An additional order for 97 more jets has also received initial approval, which will eventually take the total number of Mk1A jets in the IAF's inventory to 180.

Dr. Kamat's clarification highlights a pragmatic approach, balancing the immediate operational requirements of the Air Force with the long-term strategic objective of fostering indigenous defence capabilities and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.

 

After Repeatedly Breached by Indian Missiles, China’s Claim of HQ-9B Equivalence to S-400 Debunked in Real-World Combat

DRDO Achieves Photonic Radar Breakthrough, Promises to Render Stealth Aircraft Obsolete with Light-Based Detection Tech

[Gajanan Hirde]

Will it fly without an engine?

 

[Pankajrai]

That's a good news and it must be done keeping in view the larger aspect of indigenous development. We all are expecting the Uttam Aesa radar from 41st Tejas MK1A and GaN based virupaksha radar in Tejas MK2.

 

[Ravi Krishna Iyengar]

1. HAL has to upgrade existing Mk 1 squadron aircraft to Mk 1A. What is the status.
2. Maintenance issues of Mk 1 have not been resolved what is the action plan.
3. When we are boasting of Uttam AzeSA radar, why Israeli radar?
4. In operations how Mk 1A will protect itself from a Hypersonic PL-15 Chinese missile?
5. Can we remove and install the GE F 404 in 45 minutes?
6. What is the MTBF and MTTR of Mk 1 from current data and what is the design data for Mk 1A.
7. IAF is not asking these questions and CAS just wants production.
8 HAL will produce 50 Mk 1A and give. But is that enough. Where are the standards?
9. Can the DFCC be removed and fitted in 10 minutes. NO. Because you are still stuck with 24 circular connectors, instead of push pull connectors.
10. What about ERUs. They are not single point auto crutching. They are still the age old 118, 119 ERUs which HAL promised would be replaced ed on Mk 1A.
11. What happened to CAS chaired 1/4ly reviews?
12. Why are we not fighting these very serious issues?
Very sad to see .
Air Cmde KI Ravi AVSM VSM
Excellent ADA, Ex PMT

 

[ravin]

Yet to deliver first LCA Mk1A ,though reserve Engine and Newly one delivered are available.March end was marked now it is July, now they decide on AESA Radar!?.
Delaying need to be cautious 🤔

 

[GhoshDiganta]

That is not the problem even Israeli Radar and Avionics are good and in course of time may be not in this 83 but the later 97 will surely come with Indian Radar and EW suite. The main problem is the engine. GE delivered only one engine in 3 years. From July, they promised to deliver 2 engines per month till end of 2025. Later, from 2026, 24 engines per year which aligned with HAL's aims of 24 aircrafts per year. The 24 aircrafts per year gets HAL to match the original timeline to complete 83 Tejas Mk1A order by 2029. But the tip of the spear is engine delivery from GE. GE promised 2 engines in this month of July. Will GE be able to keep their promise is the main question?

 

[vyoma]

Will it fly without an engine?

Yes.. without an Indian engine.. that's the vision of these idiots

 

[Gajanan Hirde]

So far, HAL was fooling us. Its all money game

 

[Python]

All nuisance started because of India Today's article! And some jokers were eager to label Uttam radar as a failure 🤣

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

1. HAL has to upgrade existing Mk 1 squadron aircraft to Mk 1A. What is the status.
2. Maintenance issues of Mk 1 have not been resolved what is the action plan.
3. When we are boasting of Uttam AzeSA radar, why Israeli radar?
4. In operations how Mk 1A will protect itself from a Hypersonic PL-15 Chinese missile?
5. Can we remove and install the GE F 404 in 45 minutes?
6. What is the MTBF and MTTR of Mk 1 from current data and what is the design data for Mk 1A.
7. IAF is not asking these questions and CAS just wants production.
8 HAL will produce 50 Mk 1A and give. But is that enough. Where are the standards?
9. Can the DFCC be removed and fitted in 10 minutes. NO. Because you are still stuck with 24 circular connectors, instead of push pull connectors.
10. What about ERUs. They are not single point auto crutching. They are still the age old 118, 119 ERUs which HAL promised would be replaced ed on Mk 1A.
11. What happened to CAS chaired 1/4ly reviews?
12. Why are we not fighting these very serious issues?
Very sad to see .
Air Cmde KI Ravi AVSM VSM
Excellent ADA, Ex PMT

Good to see a person who is from IAF having concerns. Kindly can you clarify my doubts.
1. Why so much of gap in HAL and DRDO understanding, when DRDO suggest that the radar will be cleared before 41st jet. Why HAL is in so hurry to place foreign order. They have not given 1st unit itself to arrive to 41st will probably take another year or two.
2. Why we are not planning for strengthening our squadrons with available 5th gen SU57, this will give us technical knowhow for 5th gen platform till we are able to get our own 5th gen platform.
3. Why are we only dependent on western sources for jet engines, why cant we look to Russia and Japan for immediate help. As we know western countries will never like India to grow into a mighty military power.
4. DRDO is working relentlessly and with very much efforts to bolster our indigenous capabilities, its the responsibility of other involved partners like HAL to support them. If they fail I would like MoD and GOI to strictly screw these facilities to bolster Indian platforms. We have to become self sufficient its high time now.
5. Why IAF is not asking for work on the 6th gen fighter jets as the time when probably India get its own 5th gen the world would have moved far away. The effort should be for 6th gen instead of 5th gen.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Both HAL and DRDO are following the right direction, as agreed earlier, to start integrating Uttam radars with the 41st aircraft. All the paid agents started jumping with a paid article from one of the anti-India media outlets who want to label all Indian products useless.

 

[FROST]

When is the 41st expected ? 2125?

 

[lee]

So far, HAL was fooling us. Its all money game

I don't think HAL was fooling. GE has defaulted in supply of Engine. Going by the present trend, none of the Europeans or Americans are going to supply us with the Engine & Tech to locally manufacture the same. Think, in the interim go for a Russian Engine & get Kaveri Engine on fast track.

 

[dunla52]

1. HAL has to upgrade existing Mk 1 squadron aircraft to Mk 1A. What is the status.
2. Maintenance issues of Mk 1 have not been resolved what is the action plan.
3. When we are boasting of Uttam AzeSA radar, why Israeli radar?
4. In operations how Mk 1A will protect itself from a Hypersonic PL-15 Chinese missile?
5. Can we remove and install the GE F 404 in 45 minutes?
6. What is the MTBF and MTTR of Mk 1 from current data and what is the design data for Mk 1A.
7. IAF is not asking these questions and CAS just wants production.
8 HAL will produce 50 Mk 1A and give. But is that enough. Where are the standards?
9. Can the DFCC be removed and fitted in 10 minutes. NO. Because you are still stuck with 24 circular connectors, instead of push pull connectors.
10. What about ERUs. They are not single point auto crutching. They are still the age old 118, 119 ERUs which HAL promised would be replaced ed on Mk 1A.
11. What happened to CAS chaired 1/4ly reviews?
12. Why are we not fighting these very serious issues?
Very sad to see .
Air Cmde KI Ravi AVSM VSM
Excellent ADA, Ex PMT

Shut down HAL Idiots wasting our money to drink booze and eat samosas