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.

 

[sanket]

should have gone for Uttam AESA Radar , same mistake done like Mirage-2000 opportunity is there with Indigenous option, Apart From Astra Family IN can Integrate Brahmos-NG , Rudram Family in Future oh & India already paid ISE charges why France cant add one more to it why Dassault want heavy price for Just One Upgrade Just to Milk more money ..........??? In Mid-Life upgrade Bharat Must go for Indigenous GaN AESA Radar .

 

[Anant]

should have gone for Uttam AESA Radar , same mistake done like Mirage-2000 opportunity is there with Indigenous option, Apart From Astra Family IN can Integrate Brahmos-NG , Rudram Family in Future oh & India already paid ISE charges why France cant add one more to it why Dassault want heavy price for Just One Upgrade Just to Milk more money ..........??? In Mid-Life upgrade Bharat Must go for Indigenous GaN AESA Radar .

Unfortunately, if the Navy deems it isn't worth the expense, then it probably isn't. On the other hand, if (and please do note that if) the Rafale does win MRFA, then it might be worthwhile to make that investment across the whole fleet of 176-ish aircraft.

 

[NSR]

Haven't GoI, ModD, and Indian Navy learnt any lessons from 36 Rafale purchase and $1.5 billions India Specific Enhancements saga?

I guess IN too got the costly and exotic India Specific Enhancement (ISE) Upgrades disease from IAF.
France/Dassault/Safran/Thales would charge bundles and even cost of Bathroom Tissue to the integration contracts.

Lessons must be learnt and improve decision making.
How ignorant GoI, MoD, and IN can be.

Uttam AESA radar getting ready for AMCA MK I is too far away.
It must go in on Tejas Mk 2 onwards without fail.

 

[Akshat]

Factual inconsistency. RBE 2 has 1000+ TRMs (exact number is confidential). The 836 number is from a mock up from the early 2000s. But Thales has since confirmed that it is a 1000+ TRM radar. And all planes made after 2025 will have GaN as per official Thales statement. Even Spectra will have GaN now.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Integrate Uttam now. You will save lot of cost in integration and use of desi weapons.

 

[sanket]

Unfortunately, if the Navy deems it isn't worth the expense, then it probably isn't. On the other hand, if (and please do note that if) the Rafale does win MRFA, then it might be worthwhile to make that investment across the whole fleet of 176-ish aircraft.

Not Navy its MoD who rejected, Second French know selling Fighter jet is One Time Profit & selling weapons is assured profit for Next 40 years thats why they are charging more , Bharat should have press For it ,Gate way would have open for Not only Indigenous weapons but Third party weapons should b Integrated on it .

 

[Sunny]

Navy should go with similar configuration and upgrades as IAF for now. Once TEDBF is ready the Navy can transfer/sell the Rafales to IAF and standardize on the TEDBF. The Mig-29k also can be transfered to IAF depending on useful life remaining.

 

[The Presence]

Factual inconsistency. RBE 2 has 1000+ TRMs (exact number is confidential). The 836 number is from a mock up from the early 2000s. But Thales has since confirmed that it is a 1000+ TRM radar. And all planes made after 2025 will have GaN as per official Thales statement. Even Spectra will have GaN now.

Factual consistency. 111th Production model was shown to have the same number of ~840 elements by Thales with some internal enhancements.

 

[tipoo2]

The Rafale has the newest and probable best radar in our fighter fleet, considering not a single Uttam has been delivered in production yet. This was a strange idea to start with and it makes sense that it was rejected. Get the Tejas with Uttam out first,, get Virupaksha upgrades going for the Su-30, and after a lot of the legacy fleet is retired and remainder is upgraded, the Rafale can have a nice GaN (+ any future advancements) upgrade as its midlife extension. That's a better idea. It's also by far more battle tested as of right now and just...A very strange idea to replace it right away.

Besides, just comparing the TRM count is a bit useless here, since the Rafale is just limited by its nosecone size. But TRM count is far from everything, it's like comparing processors by frequency, the cooling, power delivery, antenna placement, and especially compute play a huge role.

 

[tipoo2]

"GaN doubles the range but requires significant power generation and cooling capabilities"

Ugh who wrote this line. The whole point of GaN is more efficient transfer of power that let you do an equal job with significantly less power, or else raise output power without raising thermal waste. It also definitely doesn't just simply double range.

 

[Invi Pass]

Bad decision to buy Rafale in first place. Should have gone for Naval LCA Mk2 as stop gap till TEDF or N-AMCA developed. The Navy could have modified Naval LCA as they wished. With Uttam Radar, Astra, etc

Now you will have an expensive Rafale which will never see combat in next 10 years by which time TEDF should have been flying. Our Defense forces have still not got off the colonial mindset and indulge in unnecessary expensive spending.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

should have gone for Uttam AESA Radar , same mistake done like Mirage-2000 opportunity is there with Indigenous option, Apart From Astra Family IN can Integrate Brahmos-NG , Rudram Family in Future oh & India already paid ISE charges why France cant add one more to it why Dassault want heavy price for Just One Upgrade Just to Milk more money ..........??? In Mid-Life upgrade Bharat Must go for Indigenous GaN AESA Radar .

Now, Dassault is claiming that IAF will very well soon have 200 nos. Rafales with the building of Dassault MRO facility in UP.... Seems IAF will buy only Rafale jets until MK2 and AMCA gets FOC's.. But, which engines will these jets use next....??

 

[Akshat]

Factual consistency. 111th Production model was shown to have the same number of ~840 elements by Thales with some internal enhancements.

And when would that be? My guess is late 2000s? The Thales statement came around 2014.

And did Thales say that this is a ~840 TRM radar and is the one being used in Rafales? I am sure they didn’t.

 

[Akshat]

Integrate Uttam now. You will save lot of cost in integration and use of desi weapons.

As per certain unverified news reports, it would take some 8 years to get the first plane if Uttam is integrated. My best guess is that Uttam itself is not fully ready as of now and will require significant modifications for Rafale. So the timeframe is unacceptable.

 

[Kailash]

The Rafale has the newest and probable best radar in our fighter fleet, considering not a single Uttam has been delivered in production yet. This was a strange idea to start with and it makes sense that it was rejected. Get the Tejas with Uttam out first,, get Virupaksha upgrades going for the Su-30, and after a lot of the legacy fleet is retired and remainder is upgraded, the Rafale can have a nice GaN (+ any future advancements) upgrade as its midlife extension. That's a better idea. It's also by far more battle tested as of right now and just...A very strange idea to replace it right away.

Besides, just comparing the TRM count is a bit useless here, since the Rafale is just limited by its nosecone size. But TRM count is far from everything, it's like comparing processors by frequency, the cooling, power delivery, antenna placement, and especially compute play a huge role.

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.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Uttam GaN AESA needs at least 5 more years for certifications. Just buy fully ready RafaleM jets off da shelf directly from France at lowest costs now....!

 

[Hawk]

Bad decision to buy Rafale in first place. Should have gone for Naval LCA Mk2 as stop gap till TEDF or N-AMCA developed. The Navy could have modified Naval LCA as they wished. With Uttam Radar, Astra, etc

Now you will have an expensive Rafale which will never see combat in next 10 years by which time TEDF should have been flying. Our Defense forces have still not got off the colonial mindset and indulge in unnecessary expensive spending.

LCA Navy was rejected due to many obvious reasons. There is no such thing as Naval LCA Mk2 in reality and even IAF Tejas Mk2 is at least 2 years away from roll out and another 5-6 years from SP if there are no further delays. Now imagine how long will a naval version will take! TEDBF might only complete devp trials by that time.

Rafale M deal is the stop gap option till TEDBF arrives. Using your logic Tejas wont see combat for 10 years why don't we wait till we develop more capable AMCA.

 

[Kailash]

"GaN doubles the range but requires significant power generation and cooling capabilities"

Ugh who wrote this line. The whole point of GaN is more efficient transfer of power that let you do an equal job with significantly less power, or else raise output power without raising thermal waste. It also definitely doesn't just simply double range.

Not significantly less power sorry. Significantly smaller size, lesser t/r modules, with better electrical and thermal properties, over wider frequency/operational range, less cooling requirement, yes. But not with less power.

The catch is GaN can handle a lot more power and convert it into better performance. But there is only so much an engine can churn up, and all the other components extracting and transmitting added power needs hardening. Su-30 could probably do more with Desi engine mods, ge404 in20 probably can't generate much more power. Only France can answer for Rafale and m88.

If the naval team found the m88 to be technologically wanting, and/or the French too greedy for implement upgrades for the power electronics chain, I'm sure would've done a cost/benefit analysis. French will be fools to shoot themselves in the foot if they can't capitalise on the last major fighter platform India is buying from them. Remaining numbers will be filled with TEDBF

 

[Pramkumar]

Instead of 26 Rafale India should have gone for 72 NLCA and later replaced by TEDBF from 2035 onwards.