India’s Radar Modernisation Driven By DRDO Uttam AESA And Israel’s EL/M-2052 AESA Radars
India’s radar modernisation plans are shaped by two crucial AESA radars—the
indigenous DRDO Uttam AESA and Israel’s EL/M-2052, each reflecting a different
strategic path.
AESA technology itself marks a generational leap, replacing mechanically
scanned radars with electronically steered beams that allow faster target
detection, simultaneous multi-mode operations, low interception probability,
and strong anti-jamming resilience.
The Uttam AESA, developed by DRDO’s LRDE, is at the heart of India’s
self-reliance drive. Built around solid-state GaAs transmit–receive modules,
it supports over 50 simultaneous target tracks, multi-role modes including
air-to-air, strike, SAR mapping, and integrated EW functions, all within a
modular open-architecture design scalable for fighters like TEJAS MK-1A,
Su-30MKI, AMCA, and future UAVs.
Currently in advanced trials with formal integration into TEJAS MK-1A already
cleared, Uttam aims to offer India not just radar autonomy but also long-term
cost efficiency and deep compatibility with indigenous electronic warfare
frameworks, ensuring independence from external disruptions.
The EL/M-2052 by Elta Systems, Israel, represents a combat-proven and
export-successful AESA radar, already fielded across Indian Jaguar DARIN-III
upgrades and offered for MiG-29 and Tejas platforms.
With a demonstrated range of over 150–200 km against fighter-sized targets,
capacity to track 60+ aerial objects simultaneously, and multiple operational
profiles including maritime surveillance and terrain-following, it has built a
reputation for high reliability across diverse conditions.
Its major advantage lies in proven performance, extensive logistical support,
and immediate availability, making it optimal for quick operational upgrades
in legacy fleets.
A direct comparison highlights that both radars occupy overlapping performance
brackets—particularly in target tracking and multi-role versatility—but differ
in maturity and ecosystem strength.
EL/M-2052 currently surpasses Uttam in detection range and combat validation,
while Uttam offers strategic benefits of sovereignty, future scalability into
5th-gen platforms, and reduced lifetime costs due to local support chains.
For India, the implication lies in balance: EL/M-2052 can deliver immediate
capability for ageing fleets like Jaguars and potentially MiG-29 upgrades,
ensuring no operational gaps, while Uttam progressively matures into the radar
backbone of next-generation fighters such as TEJAS MK-1A, AMCA, and TEDBF.
This hybrid approach of foreign stopgap and indigenous indigenisation allows
the IAF to maintain short-term readiness while building long-term independence
in a critical domain of modern aerial warfare.
Detailed platform-specific roadmap comparison showing how DRDO’s Uttam AESA
and Israel’s EL/M-2052 radars could be distributed across the Indian Air Force
(IAF) and Navy fighter fleets:
Radar Integration Roadmap: Uttam AESA Vs EL/M-2052 AESA
| Platform | Current Status of Radar Fitment | Near-Term (0–5 yrs) Role | Mid-Term (5–10 yrs) Role | Long-Term (10+ yrs) Roadmap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEJAS MK-1 | Equipped with Israeli EL/M-2032 (mechanically scanned) | Likely retrofit with EL/M-2052 in some squadrons | Transition to Uttam AESA in future upgrades | Standardized on Uttam AESA for consistency across fleet |
| TEJAS MK-1A | Planned fit with Uttam AESA (integration ongoing) | Initial delivery batch may include EL/M-2052 before Uttam reaches full volume readiness | Full induction with Uttam AESA becoming baseline | Uttam AESA (enhanced GaN versions) standardized |
| TEJAS MK-2 | Development stage; design assumes indigenous AESA | Prototype testing with advanced Uttam versions | Full operational induction with upgraded Uttam AESA | Transition to Uttam GaN AESA with expanded EW & networking |
| AMCA (MK-1/2) | Fifth-gen stealth fighter; requires indigenous stealth-optimised radar | Prototype and early blocks: scaled Uttam AESA | AMCA MK-1 equipped fully with Uttam AESA | AMCA MK-2 transitions to high-power GaN Uttam AESA with distributed aperture sensors |
| Su-30MKI | Currently with Russian N011M Bars PESA radar | Possible retrofit with EL/M-2052 for modernisation (cost-efficient interim upgrade option) | Induction of an upgraded high-power version of Uttam AESA | Full standardisation with Uttam AESA tailored for heavy platforms |
| Jaguar DARIN-III | Fleet nearing end of service life; radar replacement done | Already operational with EL/M-2052 AESA | Continue with EL/M-2052 until retirement | Phased out—Jaguar fleet retired, EL/M-2052 retires with them |
| MiG-29 UPG | Russian Zhuk-ME fitted currently | Limited assessment for EL/M-2052 retrofit existed, but procurement path unclear | Possible replacement with Uttam AESA for standardisation | Phased induction of Uttam AESA as MiG-29 transitions towards phase-out in favour of newer jets |
| TEDBF (Navy) | Carrier-based twin-engine fighter under design | Prototype stage – baseline assumes indigenous Uttam AESA | Carrier variant enters service with Uttam AESA | Navalised Uttam GaN AESA with maritime surveillance optimised modes |
IDN (With Agency Inputs)
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