DRDO Tests New Airborne Electronic Warfare Swayam Raksha Kavach Suite For TEJAS MK-1A
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has commenced
advanced flight trials of its new airborne electronic warfare suite, Swayam
Raksha Kavach (SRK), designed for integration with the Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) TEJAS MK-1A light combat aircraft.
The SRK suite, an evolution of DRDO’s earlier D-29 system, represents a major
step in enhancing the self-protection capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s
(IAF) forthcoming TEJAS MK-1A fleet. Its deployment is planned from the end of
2026, following successful testing and certification.
Development of the SRK began in 2021 under the Combat Aircraft Systems
Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC) of DRDO.
A DRDO official confirmed to Janes on 30 October, during the SAMANVAY 2025
industry summit in Bangalore, that flight trials are currently underway using
a TEJAS MK-1A platform.
The new suite incorporates an integrated radar warning receiver (RWR) built
into the airframe and an external jammer pod mounted on a hard-point. This
configuration allows the aircraft to detect and counter hostile radar threats
more rapidly and effectively, combining enhanced situational awareness with
active jamming functions.
DRDO anticipates completing the SRK’s flight evaluations by mid-2026, aligning
with the production ramp-up of the TEJAS MK-1A. The system’s design leverages
lessons from the D-29 suite that equips the IAF’s MiG-29 fleet but delivers
improved processing speed, signal discrimination, and threat classification
accuracy.
Alongside the SRK programme, DRDO has transferred the upgraded D-29 EW suite
technology and associated intellectual property from CASDIC to Bharat
Electronics Limited (BEL) for industrial-scale production.
This move strengthens public–industry collaboration and reinforces India’s
strategy of achieving self-reliance in critical airborne electronic defence
technologies.
With SRK, the TEJAS MK-1A will gain a modern, indigenous electronic warfare
system on par with international counterparts, significantly enhancing the
fighter’s survivability and mission versatility in complex electromagnetic
warfare environments.
SRK Vs D-29 EW Suite: Key Technical Comparison
| Feature | Swayam Raksha Kavach | D-29 EW Suite (Upgraded) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | TEJAS MK-1A | MiG-29 |
| Radar Warning Receiver | Integrated into airframe, advanced signal processing | Podded, legacy architecture |
| Jammer Pod | External, hardpoint-mounted, digital jamming | External, analog/digital hybrid |
| Threat Detection Range | Enhanced, multi-band coverage | Standard, limited to legacy bands |
| Threat Classification | AI-assisted, real-time | Manual/semi-automated |
| Jamming Capability | Multi-target, frequency-agile | Single-target, fixed frequency |
| Integration | Native, modular, future-proof | Retrofit, limited upgrade path |
| Production Partner | BEL (technology transfer) | BEL (technology transfer) |
| Deployment Timeline | End of 2026 (TEJAS MK-1A) | Ongoing (MiG-29 fleet) |
| Indigenous Content | >90% | ~70% |
Based On Janes Report
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