By Elton Gomes
Indias defence research and development organization (DRDO) wants to sell technology it has developed for a super radar for the fighter jet aircraft, and it has asked the Indian Industry to submit proposals for a transfer of technology.
The Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) has said that it is ready with its Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESAR) technology and that it already has four licenses to offer to the Indian industry. The development lab has asked interested firms to submit their profiles in order to apply for the project.
A note from the DRDO mentioned the capabilities of the technology. Active phased array technology in the Radar enables the user to achieve high mission reliability with multi-target tracking capability. The radar operational modes are designed to assist the fighter pilot in the execution of various combat missions in air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea operations, the note said, as reported by the Economic Times.
It is to be noted that the AESAR technology has been integrated on all cutting-edge fighter jets. Earlier this year, as part of an upgrade plan, Israeli company ELTA is equipping 58 Indian Air Force Jaguar jets with AESAR.
Israeli super radars enhance India’s fighter jets
In May 2018, the Economic Times reported that the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was to be equipped with Israeli super radars that would provide a combative edge to engage in multiple air and ground targets simultaneously. Israeli firm ELTA appears to have fended competition from French firm Thales for the contract that has been in the works since 2016.
DRDO rejects fighter aircraft deal with Russia
India and Russia were to jointly develop an advanced fighter the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). However, official plans to do so were cancelled, as per a report in Business Standard. According to the report, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval conveyed the decision to a Russian delegation at a Defence Acquisition Meeting that was held somewhere around the end of February.
Doval and Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra asked the Russians to develop the fifth-generation fighter alone.
The deal could have placed India alongside the US and China, but has been called off, and a decision has been made to purchase the jets in the future if the need arises. The fifth-generation jet project was Russia’s offer to co-develop a new fighter aircraft specially designed for India. The project would see a considerable amount of research being conducted in India along with a transfer of technology.
India develops its own fighter jet technology
India began developing its own technology for fighter jets after the UK, USA, France, and Israel refused to share information about the technology.
The high-tech system will soon be adapted by fighter aircraft in India with technology being developed indigenously. The head-up display (HUD) has been developed by the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) in Chandigarh, a constituent unit of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
Elton Gomes is a staff writer at Qrius