HAL awards Astra Microwave Rs 2,205 crore contract for indigenous Uttam radar components

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed a Rs 2,205 crore procurement with Astra Microwave for 122 active-antenna array units and 121 interface frames for the Uttam radar, an indigenously developed active electronically scanned array. The radar, built by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment using GaAs MMICs and liquid-cooled quad-band modules, offers a 150 km detection range and supports air-to-air, air-to-ground and maritime modes.

HAL will integrate the system on the second tranche of Tejas Mk-1A fighters, while the initial 83 aircraft will be equipped with the Israeli EL/M-2052 radar, also used on Jaguar DARIN-III. Bharat Electronics supplies major subsystems for the radar. The contract underscores India's Make in India drive to reduce reliance on foreign avionics and boost domestic defence capabilities.