Tejas Mk-1A To Feature Homegrown 'Uttam' AESA Radar And 'Angad' Electronic Warfare Suite, Replacing Imported Components

In a significant development, amid the ongoing drive for indigenising military weapon systems, the 'Made-in-India' Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A will be equipped with the 'Uttam' radar and the 'Angad' electronic warfare suite, reported ANI.

The Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and Angad electronic warfare suite are being developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will soon be integrated into the Tejas Mk-1A aircraft.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already ordered 83 Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets and plans to place an additional order for 97 in the near future.

The report stated, "From the 41st aircraft onwards, up to the order for 83 Tejas Mk-1A planes, the electronic warfare suite and AESA radar will be 'Made-in-India', increasing the indigenous content in these aircraft while replacing imported systems."

These projects are being executed by various laboratories of the DRDO.

The initiative to retrofit the Tejas with indigenous weapon systems is expected to save millions in foreign exchange and create employment opportunities within the defence industry.

The Uttam radar has exhibited promising results during the development phase and is even under consideration for deployment in high-end fighter jets, as sources have informed.

According to the IAF's plans, these domestically manufactured aircraft will replace the aging MiG-series fighter jets in its fleet. These plans have been submitted to the Defence Ministry and other relevant stakeholders in the national security establishment.

Chief of IAF, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, recently conducted a review meeting with all involved parties, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, regarding the indigenous fighter jet programme.

Additionally, a more advanced version of the Uttam AESA radar will be used in the Tejas Mk-2 and other future indigenous fighter aircraft currently in-development by DRDO.