India’s first domestic Very High Frequency (VHF) surveillance radar was unveiled by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) at Aero India 2025 in Bangalore. This radar, which is presently in the testing phase, is intended to identify stealth aircraft of the fifth and sixth generations, which are thought to pose a threat to national security.
The radar can track up to 100 targets at once and has a detection range of up to 400 kilometers.
It is a cutting-edge digital phased array radar with optical interfaces and element-level digitization. It makes use of transmit/receive (TR) modules made of gallium nitride (GaN), which offer high output power and improved signal reception capabilities.
The radar provides a complete air defense solution since it can be used in both rotation and staring modes and can be combined with specialized tracking radars to function as a cueing radar. It can be deployed anywhere in 20 minutes and mounted in difficult terrain, such as mountains.
Because the radar is entirely digital, sophisticated adaptive array signal processing algorithms can be used to combat multiple jammers and clutter. Additionally, it incorporates frequency-hopping and pulse-compression technologies to enhance immunity against adversary electronic warfare tactics, as well as adaptive nulling technology to eliminate jamming signals.
The radar’s high dynamic range, enabled by element-level digitization, allows it to function in high-clutter environments. It has two modes of operation: rotation and staring. The Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a research and development organization in India that works under DRDO, claims that this radar can also be combined with specialized tracking radars as a cueing radar, providing a complete solution for air defense.
This radar can operate in both steering and rotation modes. It functions within a range of plus and minus 45 degrees when in steering mode. The radar is outfitted with cutting-edge active array electronics technology. Because it is a fully digital radar, we can use sophisticated adaptive array signal processing algorithms to combat multiple jammers and clutter.
The system is appropriate for use in high-altitude field deployments since it can be mounted on a 6×6 high mobility vehicle (HMV) and the antenna array can be folded up while in motion.
Shivashankar from LRDE claims that this radar is a ground-breaking development in India’s stealth target detection field and will help the country build anti-stealth capabilities. In roughly two years, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be able to use the VHS radar with stealth technology, according to the LRDE staff. The project is being worked on by a team of 50 to 60 professionals.
