As part of the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) program, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) upgraded the THD-1955 radar system, a vital part of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) long-range air surveillance capability, marking a significant technological milestone.
The foundation of India’s air defense system has been the THD-1955, a French-designed aircraft licensed to be built in India since the 1970s. It can track targets over 1,000 kilometers away and conduct thorough three-dimensional (3D) surveillance.
This radar has played a crucial role in protecting Indian airspace over the years, but as technology advanced and equipment grew older naturally, modernization became imperative.
Understanding the significance of maintaining and improving the operational efficacy of these legacy systems, BEL has created and executed a thorough technological update known as THD 2.0.
With its locally created digitalized receiver and transmitter sections, this upgrade represents a major advancement in radar infrastructure through indigenization. In addition to giving the decades-old THD-1955 new life, the modernization also gives it an additional 10 to 15 years of operational life, allowing the IAF to continue using these assets while the switch to more modern High Power Radars (HPRs) is being made.
The upgrade gives the radar a technological boost that improves its surveillance capabilities and provides more accurate and dependable situational awareness throughout Indian airspace. Critical parts like the transmitter and receiver cabinets have been digitalized to help with obsolescence, maintenance, and vendor support issues that have gotten worse as a result of the system’s aging. The radar’s operational utility in contemporary threat environments is further strengthened by the upgrade, which also includes enhancements to Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems.
Since the upgrade removes the need for expensive imports or total system replacements with foreign technology, one of the main advantages of this indigenization effort is the significant savings in foreign exchange. This is in line with the larger goals of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which is to increase domestic technological capacity, promote innovation, and lessen reliance on outside vendors for vital defense infrastructure.
In conclusion, the THD-1955 radar system upgrade spearheaded by BEL is evidence of India’s increasing technological capability and dedication to defense independence. In addition to guaranteeing the IAF’s air surveillance network’s operational readiness for the ensuing ten or more years, it also serves as an example of the country’s capacity to modernize legacy assets through domestic innovation, establishing a standard for upcoming defense modernization initiatives.
