Two important AESA radars, Israel’s EL/M-2052 and India’s domestic DRDO Uttam AESA, each representing a distinct strategic direction, influence India’s ambitions for radar modernization.
With electronically steered beams that enable simultaneous multi-mode operations, low interception probability, excellent anti-jamming resistance, and faster target identification than mechanically scanned radars, AESA technology itself represents a generational advance.
The foundation of India’s struggle for independence is the Uttam AESA, which was created by DRDO’s LRDE. Its modular open-architecture design is scalable for fighters such as the TEJAS MK-1A, Su-30MKI, AMCA, and future UAVs. It is built around solid-state GaAs transmit-receive modules and supports more than 50 simultaneous target tracks, multi-role modes like air-to-air, strike, SAR mapping, and integrated EW functions.
Uttam, which is already in advanced testing and has already received approval for official integration into TEJAS MK-1A, intends to provide India with long-term cost savings, deep interoperability with domestic electronic warfare frameworks, and radar autonomy while guaranteeing independence from outside interference.
A combat-tested and export-successful AESA radar, the EL/M-2052 from Elta Systems, Israel, is available for the MiG-29 and Tejas platforms and has already been deployed across Indian Jaguar DARIN-III modifications.
It has established a reputation for excellent reliability under a variety of circumstances thanks to its demonstrated range of more than 150–200 km versus fighter-sized targets, ability to track 60+ airborne objects at once, and numerous operational profiles, such as terrain-following and maritime surveillance.
It is ideal for rapid operational updates in legacy fleets due to its demonstrated performance, broad logistical support, and instant availability.
A direct comparison reveals that while both radars fall into similar performance categories, especially in terms of target tracking and multi-role versatility, their ecosystem strength and maturity vary.
While Uttam provides strategic advantages like sovereignty, future scaling into 5th-gen platforms, and lower lifetime costs because of local support chains, EL/M-2052 currently outperforms Uttam in detection range and combat validation.
The implications for India are mixed: Uttam gradually develops into the radar core of next-generation fighters like TEJAS MK-1A, AMCA, and TEDBF, while EL/M-2052 can provide immediate capability for aging fleets like Jaguars and possibly MiG-29 upgrades, guaranteeing no operational gaps.
In a crucial area of contemporary aerial combat, the IAF is able to preserve short-term preparedness while establishing long-term independence thanks to this hybrid strategy of imported stopgap and local indigenization.
A thorough platform-specific roadmap comparison illustrating the potential distribution of Israel’s EL/M-2052 radars and DRDO’s Uttam AESA radars throughout the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy fighter fleets
