Why MoD Rejected Uttam AESA Radar for Rafale M Jets Despite Having Integration Plans for MiG-29K and TEDBF

The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has declined a proposal by the Indian Navy to equip its Rafale M fighter jets with the domestically developed Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Fire Control Radar (FCR).

This decision has ignited a debate within the defense community regarding the balance between cost, technological advancement, and strategic autonomy in India's military modernization efforts.

The Navy had advocated for the Uttam radar to ensure commonality with its existing MiG-29K fighters and the upcoming Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, both of which are planned to utilize the indigenous radar system. Proponents argued that this commonality would streamline maintenance, training, and weapons integration across the naval air fleet.

However, the MoD cited several reasons for rejecting the proposal. Firstly, integrating the Uttam radar into the Rafale M platform would incur significant costs. Secondly, the MoD expressed concerns about the radar's reliance on gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology for its transmit/receive (T/R) modules.

While the Uttam radar boasts a higher number of T/R modules (968) compared to the Rafale M's existing RBE2 radar (838), the latter utilizes GaAs technology.

The MoD favors the more advanced gallium nitride (GaN) technology, which offers superior range and performance. Although DRDO has reportedly developed GaN T/R modules for future applications like the AMCA, these were not considered for the Rafale M upgrade.

This decision has drawn criticism from those who believe it undermines India's push for self-reliance in defence technology. They argue that integrating the Uttam radar would not only reduce dependence on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Dassault Aviation and Thales but also provide valuable experience in integrating advanced radar systems onto complex fighter platforms.

Furthermore, proponents highlight that utilizing the Uttam radar would grant the Navy greater control over weapons integration and future upgrades, potentially reducing long-term costs and enhancing operational flexibility.

The MoD's decision reflects the complex considerations involved in modernizing a nation's armed forces. While cost and technological advancement are crucial factors, the decision also touches upon broader issues of strategic autonomy and the role of domestic research and development in achieving national security objectives.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Rafale prototype originally flew with GE engine before M88 was made, so it should be a easy fit.

NOT AT ALL POSSIBLE to convert existing jet to another OEM of engines in reality!!!

 

[PKPRS]

NOT AT ALL POSSIBLE to convert existing jet to another OEM of engines in reality!!!

Rafale tech demonstrator was roled out in 1986, M88 wasn’t available till 1990, until then Rafale flew with twin GE F404 engines, even GE F414 engine has the exact same dimensions as F404, so F414 engine is a direct fit in Rafale, but the air intake requirement is bit different.

 

[desigandu]

Key question is when will be the French deliver the Rafale Ms…I forecast late 2028 or mid 2029, if not 2030, given their production backlogs…

Bharat has put itself in this situation as we don’t plan well and we have HAL, DRDO and even IAF, who have unrealistic needs and also want least price…Unless the procurement process and above all cultural mindset is not addressed, we will keeep getting screwed…I don’t blame the French, as they know Bharat has no good options….

Also i speculate cost of Rafale Ms, north of $250M per jet and best case around $225M - but we shall see once contact is signed…

 

[Akshat]

You can count the TRMs on your own, or rely on others who have already done it before.

Which statement? Where's the official link to this statement ?

TRM Count from Official Image > "Will have in future" Statements

I already said in my last comment that all the TRM counts are from an image posted way back. You have not yet provided the official statement of Thales that says that there is any 840 TRM radar. First you provide source. I have already provided mine many times and will provide again once you show me your proof.

 

[Sandeep]

Bro we already have 36+26=62 , we dont have 62 we have only 36 second after signing the deal it will take almost 4 to 5 years to deliver all 26 Rafale M by the Time they test & certify

I said that when we get the 26 naval rafale jets we will have 62 jets. But for that many planes we will have commonality with the technology, spares, LRU, maintenance etc so it’s a significant number to make it worth setting up the support infrastructure. Once it’s time for its mid-life upgrade then we can install our indigenous Uttam radar or a similar or better variant of it.

 

[tipoo2]

Agreed, some older platforms might benefit more from the upgrade. But Uttam is very very close to being fielded. Timelines of a French GaN fire control radar is farther away than Indian efforts. This is one area French lose their edge doing everything themselves, compared to a consortium approach taken by Euro fighter.

The same idea had the Rafale developed with an AESA well before the Eurofighter, and coming in with a better all rounded package at lower cost. Not dealing with other countries inputs and desires has its ups and downs.

 

[vamkris]

Use GaN for tejas mk2 Tedbf and super sukhoi not only AMCA

 

[The Presence]

I already said in my last comment that all the TRM counts are from an image posted way back. You have not yet provided the official statement of Thales that says that there is any 840 TRM radar. First you provide source. I have already provided mine many times and will provide again once you show me your proof.

Thales has never stated the TRM count of the RBE-2 till date, neither 800 nor 1000. Radar manufactures seldom announce such things.

What we have is an image of a production model equipped with the RBE-2 AESA. From that we can count the TRMs.

The image isn't from 2000s also as you claim. Here's an article from 2012 which covers the handover ceremony, where the nose-cone of the Rafale was opened to show the radar. Since then this very image used world over as an official source. At the end of the article it's clearly written when that specific image was taken.

French DGA receives first AESA-radar equipped Rafale fighter - Airforce Technology

Dassault Aviation has delivered the first Radar à Balayage Electronique 2 (RBE2) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar-equipped Rafale combat aircraft to the French defence procurement agency (DGA) at its facility in Merignac, France.

www.airforce-technology.com

 

[Akshat]

Thales has never stated the TRM count of the RBE-2 till date, neither 800 nor 1000. Radar manufactures seldom announce such things.

What we have is an image of a production model equipped with the RBE-2 AESA. From that we can count the TRMs.

The image isn't from 2000s also as you claim. Here's an article from 2012 which covers the handover ceremony, where the nose-cone of the Rafale was opened to show the radar. Since then this very image used world over as an official source. At the end of the article it's clearly written when that specific image was taken.

French DGA receives first AESA-radar equipped Rafale fighter - Airforce Technology

Dassault Aviation has delivered the first Radar à Balayage Electronique 2 (RBE2) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar-equipped Rafale combat aircraft to the French defence procurement agency (DGA) at its facility in Merignac, France.

www.airforce-technology.com

I have already shown official Thales statement regarding this. But you claimed Thales showed that the radar has 840 TRMs. You didn’t say back then anything about counting or photo or anything. So why did you lie?

 

[M S ChatterjiVerified member]

WhAP is Great Example , Got Export order , Dreaming about Stryker

We do not know but Stryker is part of another deal on which you have no choice.

 

[The Presence]

I have already shown official Thales statement regarding this. But you claimed Thales showed that the radar has 840 TRMs. You didn’t say back then anything about counting or photo or anything. So why did you lie?

Except you didn't show anything.

The radar shown by Thales literally has ~840 TRMs. Several people have counted it and you can too. Like literally, I don't have to debate with you anymore to know you're a troll. Don't waste my time unless you have something worthwhile to showcase.