Modernising India's Naval Defences: INS Mysore's Radar Upgrade

The Indian Navy has taken a significant step in modernising its naval defences with the upgrade of INS Mysore, a 1990s-era guided-missile destroyer. The warship has been equipped with a cutting-edge 3D air-surveillance radar, replacing its legacy RAWL-08 system with the advanced Lanza-N radar developed by Spain's Indra and produced in India with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd.

This upgrade is a crucial development in the Indian Navy's radar modernisation programme, aimed at enhancing the operational relevance of its fleet assets. The Delhi class destroyers, including INS Mysore, continue to be valuable fleet assets due to their size, missile capacity, and endurance. However, their sensors were in dire need of modernisation to keep pace with emerging threats.

The Lanza-N radar operates in the L-band and is designed to provide 3D surveillance, resolving a target's range, azimuth, and elevation as part of the air picture. This capability allows for reduced dependence on height-finding inputs and provides the combat-management system with a more complete picture of airborne contacts. The radar's 3D surveillance capabilities enable it to track multiple targets simultaneously, providing a higher quality track picture against aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and missile threats.

The significance of this upgrade extends beyond the replacement of an old radar system. It marks a substantial modernisation of the sensor architecture of the Delhi class destroyers, extending their operational relevance alongside newer Kolkata- and Visakhapatnam class destroyers. The Indian Navy's radar modernisation programme is a critical component of its broader efforts to enhance its naval capabilities and protect its interests in the Indian Ocean.

The upgrade of INS Mysore is part of a larger contract awarded to Tata Advanced Systems Ltd for 23 shipborne 3D air-surveillance radars. Indra supplied the first three complete systems, with core elements for another 20 radars to be completed and integrated by TASL in India. The successful delivery and commissioning of the first Made-in-India Lanza-N aboard an Indian Navy warship in September 2025 marked a significant milestone in the programme.

The Indian Navy's radar modernisation programme is a testament to its commitment to enhancing its naval capabilities and protecting its interests in the Indian Ocean. The upgrade of INS Mysore with the Lanza-N radar is a significant step in this direction, providing the warship with a modern 3D air-surveillance capability that will enable it to effectively detect and track airborne threats. As the Indian Navy continues to modernise its fleet, it is clear that the Lanza-N radar will play a critical role in enhancing its operational effectiveness and protecting its interests in the region.

Modernising India's Naval Defences: A Strategic Imperative

The Indian Navy's radar modernisation programme is a critical component of its broader efforts to enhance its naval capabilities and protect its interests in the Indian Ocean. The upgrade of INS Mysore with the Lanza-N radar is a significant step in this direction, providing the warship with a modern 3D air-surveillance capability that will enable it to effectively detect and track airborne threats.

Enhancing Operational Relevance

The Delhi class destroyers, including INS Mysore, continue to be valuable fleet assets due to their size, missile capacity, and endurance. However, their sensors were in dire need of modernisation to keep pace with emerging threats. The Lanza-N radar's 3D surveillance capabilities enable it to track multiple targets simultaneously, providing a higher quality track picture against aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and missile threats.

A Critical Component of the Indian Navy's Radar Modernisation Programme

The upgrade of INS Mysore is part of a larger contract awarded to Tata Advanced Systems Ltd for 23 shipborne 3D air-surveillance radars. Indra supplied the first three complete systems, with core elements for another 20 radars to be completed and integrated by TASL in India. The successful delivery and commissioning of the first Made-in-India Lanza-N aboard an Indian Navy warship in September 2025 marked a significant milestone in the programme.

Key Takeaways

• The Indian Navy has upgraded INS Mysore, a 1990s-era guided-missile destroyer, with a cutting-edge 3D air-surveillance radar, replacing its legacy RAWL-08 system with the advanced Lanza-N radar.
• The Lanza-N radar operates in the L-band and is designed to provide 3D surveillance, resolving a target's range, azimuth, and elevation as part of the air picture.
• The upgrade is part of a larger contract awarded to Tata Advanced Systems Ltd for 23 shipborne 3D air-surveillance radars, with Indra supplying the first three complete systems and TASL integrating the remaining 20 radars in India.