India has unveiled a new domestically developed Very High Frequency (VHF) radar system at Aero India 2025, marking a significant advancement in the country's air defence capabilities.
This radar is specifically designed to detect stealth aircraft, such as the fifth-generation J-35A fighter jets that Pakistan is reportedly planning to acquire from China.
Operating within the VHF band (30 to 300 MHz), this radar system exploits the physics of radio waves to overcome the stealth technology employed by modern fighter jets.
Stealth aircraft are designed to evade conventional radar systems by minimizing their radar cross-section (RCS), effectively making them 'invisible' to traditional radar. However, the longer wavelengths used by VHF radar are less affected by these stealth features, allowing them to detect aircraft that would otherwise remain undetected.
This new radar system boasts an impressive detection range of 400 km, a notable achievement for a truck-based mobile system. This extended range provides early warning and surveillance capabilities, enabling India to monitor and track aerial threats over a vast area.
Mounted on two TATRA vehicles, the radar system is highly mobile and can be rapidly deployed to different locations, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness in India's defence strategies.
The acquisition of J-35A fighter jets by Pakistan poses a potential threat to India's airspace security. These advanced stealth fighters are designed to penetrate enemy defences undetected, making them a formidable adversary.
However, India's new VHF radar system offers a crucial countermeasure. By detecting these stealth aircraft at long ranges, even when they operate from forward airbases, the radar provides valuable time for Indian defence forces to react and deploy appropriate countermeasures.
This development underscores India's commitment to strengthening its air defence network and maintaining a technological edge in the face of evolving regional security challenges.
The VHF radar system enhances India's ability to detect and respond to modern aerial threats, including those posed by advanced stealth aircraft like the J-35A.
