India's Homegrown Radar: A Cost-Saving Breakthrough with Far-Reaching Implications

India's defence scientists have made a significant breakthrough in their airborne early-warning and control programme by developing the dorsal radar housing domestically. This achievement not only saved the country a substantial amount of money but also provided valuable engineering knowledge that can be reused in future airborne surveillance programmes.

The decision to develop the system domestically was made after a foreign vendor, Ericsson, quoted a significant amount of money for the dorsal radar housing. The Indian team, led by Dr. S. Christopher, decided to take on the engineering challenge themselves, which required developing the dorsal installation, integrating the radar, and ensuring that the resulting structure could withstand the mechanical and aerodynamic stresses associated with operating an airborne radar.

The challenge was particularly demanding because a large radar installation mounted on top of an aircraft inevitably affects aerodynamics, weight distribution, and structural loading. However, the Indian team was able to overcome these difficulties and achieve full operational integration at a fraction of the cost. The indigenous solution reportedly cost around ₹24 crore, which is one-fifth of the foreign vendor's quotation of ₹120 crore.

The financial saving was not the only benefit of developing the system domestically. The Indian team also gained valuable engineering knowledge that can be reused in subsequent airborne surveillance programmes. This included expertise in large airborne antenna structures, mechanical integration, structural design, radar installation, and the interaction between an airborne sensor and its host aircraft.

The experience gained from this indigenous development has become a crucial foundation for India's AEW&C programme. The country has since moved from the experimental Avro-based Airborne Surveillance Platform to the Embraer EMB-145-based Netra AEW&C, which incorporates an indigenous mission system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The knowledge accumulated during the earlier programme has helped create the engineering base required for increasingly sophisticated airborne surveillance systems.

This breakthrough also highlights the strategic benefits of developing defence technology domestically. By doing so, India gains control over its airborne surveillance capabilities and the freedom to modify the system as radar technology evolves. This is particularly important as India moves towards larger and more capable airborne surveillance platforms, such as the Netra Mk-II programme, which is expected to use a larger Airbus A321 platform and substantially more capable radar and mission systems.

In conclusion, India's defence scientists have made a significant breakthrough in their airborne early-warning and control programme by developing the dorsal radar housing domestically. This achievement not only saved the country a substantial amount of money but also provided valuable engineering knowledge that can be reused in future airborne surveillance programmes. As India continues to develop its defence technology capabilities, this indigenous development will prove invaluable in the years to come.