Astra Microwave Products Limited has secured a landmark contract valued at ₹2,205.23 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The order covers the supply of 122 Airborne Active Antenna Units (AAAU) and 121 Interface Frames for the indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array radar. This marks one of the largest production orders linked to the Uttam radar program, signalling its transition from development into full-scale manufacturing.

The Uttam AESA radar has been designed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment to provide India’s fighter aircraft with a modern indigenous fire-control radar. The Airborne Active Antenna Unit is the core of the radar, housing transmit/receive modules that electronically steer the radar beam without mechanical movement.

This allows simultaneous tracking of multiple aerial targets, improved engagement of threats, and greater reliability compared to older mechanically scanned radars. The Interface Frame serves as a critical structural and electronic link, integrating the antenna assembly with the aircraft’s radar system.

The scale of this order indicates HAL’s readiness for sustained production of aircraft equipped with Uttam AESA radar. The radar is expected to become a key sensor for the TEJAS MK-1A, while its architecture is being considered for future Indian combat aircraft programs with suitable modifications. This ensures that the radar will remain adaptable to evolving requirements in India’s aerospace sector.

For Astra Microwave, the contract represents a major boost to its defence manufacturing portfolio. The company has long been a supplier of advanced microwave, RF, and radar subsystems for strategic Indian defence programs. This latest order strengthens the role of private industry in India’s defence ecosystem, highlighting the growing synergy between state-owned enterprises and private manufacturers in delivering critical technologies.

The development aligns closely with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which seeks to reduce reliance on imported defence equipment by expanding indigenous design, development, and production capabilities.

With Uttam AESA radar entering mass production, India takes another decisive step towards self-reliance in advanced air combat technologies. The radar’s indigenous design also reduces vulnerability to supply chain disruptions and foreign restrictions, ensuring operational continuity for the Indian Air Force.

As production accelerates, the program is expected to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force. The Uttam radar will provide TEJAS MK-1A fighters with advanced situational awareness, multi-target tracking, and compatibility with indigenous weapons such as the Astra missile series.

This will strengthen India’s ability to conduct networked operations in contested airspaces, countering adversaries equipped with stealth aircraft and electronic warfare systems. At the same time, the contract will reinforce the domestic supply chain for advanced defence electronics, creating new opportunities for Indian industry and supporting long-term technological growth.

Agencies