Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Defence Technology, Issue: Upgrading Army radars.
Context:
The Indian Army is upgrading its air defence radars to counter new-age threats like small, low-cost drones and swarm attacks.
Key Takeaways:
- After Pakistani drones breached Indian airspace during Operation Sindoor (May 2025), the Army began procuring Low Level Light Weight Radars (Enhanced & Improved) and Air Defence Fire Control Radar–Drone Detectors.
- These systems will strengthen surveillance and targeting capabilities, plugging gaps along India’s northern and western borders.
Impacts of Upgraded Radars:
- Improved Drone Detection: Capability to detect, track, and engage drones with small radar signatures (low RCS).
- Enhanced LLLWR can detect drone swarms and transmit target data up to 10 km away.
- Seamless Integration: Will feed into Akashteer (Army) and IACCS (IAF) networks, providing real-time situational awareness.
- Tactical Advantage: Enables effective counter-drone fire control using ADFCR-DDs. Differentiates friend vs. foe in cluttered airspace, reducing fratricide risk.
- Strategic Deterrence: Signals to adversaries that India can neutralize next-gen aerial threats including camouflage drone swarms, ensuring credible deterrence.
- Cost-Efficiency: Helps avoid use of expensive long-range missile systems (S-400/Akash) against low-cost drones, ensuring resource optimization.
Examples from Modern Conflicts:
- Operation Sindoor (2025): Pakistani UAV swarms breached India’s older radar cover, exposing vulnerabilities.
- Hamas vs. Israel (2023-24): Small, low-flying drones used in swarms to bypass advanced radar nets.
- Russia–Ukraine War: Drones like Shahed-136 overwhelmed Ukrainian defences; forced NATO to add low-altitude radars and C-UAS systems.
Radar defence challenges and Measures Against Drone Threats:
India’s radar upgrades show its shift towards tackling modern aerial threats like drones and swarms. Drawing lessons from Operation Sindoor and global conflicts, the Army is inducting advanced radars, integrating them with Akashteer and IACCS, and pairing detection with countermeasures to build a strong air defence shield. The key challenges ahead are scaling deployment, boosting indigenous production, and staying ahead of evolving drone and stealth technologies.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-upgrading-army-radars-10256376/
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