The BNET-MANAS V/UHF Software Defined Radio (SDR) for the Indian Army has successfully finished user trials at Hyderabad-based Astra Rafael Comsys (ARC), a joint venture between Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and India’s Astra Microwave Products Ltd.
Under the strategic Make-II program, which prioritizes domestically designed, developed, and manufactured defense technologies, this accomplishment represents a major turning point in India’s domestic production of sophisticated tactical communication systems.
The BNET-MANAS SDR is a component of ARC’s extremely sophisticated BNET portfolio, which was designed from the ground up to satisfy the Indian Army’s exacting requirements. It supports broadband IP Mobile Ad-hoc Networking (MANET) with multi-band and multi-channel capabilities, enabling secure, high-speed, low-latency digital communication—including voice, data, and video—across land, sea, and air platforms.
Its V/UHF frequency range and software-defined nature allow efficient spectrum utilization and support for advanced waveforms, providing a versatile, reliable communication link for soldiers and command units in dynamic battlefield conditions.
ARC operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located at the Hardware Technology Park near Hyderabad airport, which focuses on producing cutting-edge software-defined radios and other tactical communication systems for the Indian Armed Forces.
The successful trials of the BNET-MANAS SDR affirm ARC’s role as a pioneer in the private sector’s military-grade communication technology manufacturing in India. This development is expected to enhance the Indian Army’s tactical communication capabilities substantially, improving network resilience and operational effectiveness on modern digital battlefields.
Beyond the Indian Army, the BNET family of radios is already selected by various international users, including the Israeli Air Force and other global customers in Brazil and Colombia, illustrating its advanced technology pedigree. The user trials completion also aligns with India’s broader defence modernisation and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, emphasising self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
This success also complements ARC’s ongoing collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and reflects a growing synergy between Indian and Israeli defence industries, strengthening India’s strategic tactical communication infrastructure and capability enhancement for the armed forces.
The successful user trials of the BNET-MANAS V/UHF SDR by Hyderabad-based ARC represent a crucial step forward in equipping the Indian Army with next-generation software-defined communication technology that supports secure, flexible, and scalable tactical networking essential for modern warfare.
