In order to step up its network-centric operations and strengthen air defence in western India, Indian Air Force (IAF) will be inducting the indigenous Medium Power Radar (MPR) called ‘Arudhra’ at Naliya in Gujarat. The Gujarat coastline has important installations and assets and the new radar will help in extending their security. The induction will take place in the background of the South Western Air Command’s Commanders’ Conference in Gujarat.
The state-of-the-art radar, Arudhra, is being inducted towards strengthening the air defence in the Saurashtra-Kutch of Gujarat. Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, will do the honours and induct the ‘Arudhra’ medium-power radar developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the official said.
The Arudhra radar is India's first self developed AESA 3D surveillance radar with multifunction capacity in the medium power capability range. It is a major achievement for the LRDE, along with DRDO, to have managed to develop such crucial 3D long range radars on its own. The Arudra radar has a range of 300 kilometers, twice the range of the 3D Rohini radar (150 km). With advanced "electronic counter-counter measures", the new radar being inducted will be integrated into the IACCS (integrated air command and control system). The IACCS is a fully-automated network being established to integrate the wide array of military radars with each other as well as with civilian radars. The IAF has significantly improved its air defence capabilities by acquiring the IACCS and connecting all of its modern as well as legacy radars under one single grid. IAF has plans to establish ten IACCS centres to cover virtually the entire country, with quick transfer of data from different radars as well as ground stations of AWACS to one central place.
Keeping homeland security as top priority to insulate the country against potential threats from China and Pakistan, IAF has made substantial moves for air-defence coverage and maximum surveillance. Besides the planned induction of long-range surveillance radars (LRSRs) and high-power radars (HPRs), contract have been signed for 19 LLTRs (low-level transportable radars), four MPRs and 30 indigenous medium-range Rohini radars. IAF is also moving towards procuring nine more Aerostat radars to add to the two EL/M-2083 Israeli Aerostats inducted earlier. Also, two additional Israeli airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) will enhance the network-centric operations of the IAF.
The LRDE Director Mr. Varadarajan indicated that the country had a huge requirement for radars, especially for deployment in inaccessible terrain where security needs are high. These new radars, including the medium power and low-level transportable radar, will be broad-based so that they can be integrated into any weapons system. The radars can be extended and utilized for multiple missions and multiple functions. |