ironman
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DRDO To Develop Surveillance Radar
The state-owned Defence and Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is all set to develop an economical indigenous radar system which will help India achieve self reliance and boost the private sector participation in the defence business.
The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), which is a part of the DRDO, is currently developing the low-cost radar system which they claim could be similar or even more advanced than the Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). CABS officials indicated that DRDO has technology to make an airborne early warning and control system (AEWC&S) which can be used to develop a radar similar to AWACS.
The Chief Controller of DRDO (R&D) Dr.Prahlada said that the indigenous AEWC&S, to be mounted on three Embraer-145 jets, being obtained from Brazil for $210 million will be very advanced with the latest image processing facilities and better software systems compared to foreign sophisticated radar systems.
DRDO officials indicated that the AEWC&S is scheduled for delivery by 2011 and it will be a $360 million project.
The advanced radar system will also be useful for the Indian Air Force (IAF) who are currently seeking to acquire 20 additional advanced systems. India has already acquired the AWACS from Israel earlier this year, which is part of a $1.1-billion defence deal with Israel. The system is designed to detect aircraft at high altitude and allows operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft from hundreds of miles away.
It has been estimated that the Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) would benefit in India since the project will create business opportunities worth $125 million approximately. Currently, DRDO and CABS are availing the services and acquiring products from SMEs and Public Sector Undertakings for the development of this system. CABS and its work centres like Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) and Defence Electronics Research Laboratory have developed indigenous software for tactical battle management and signal processing, which can be used in the radars. This has significantly reduced the cost of the advanced system and helped local players to tap the defence sector. Other public and private players involved are Astra Microwave, Alligator Designs, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Cornett, Data Patterns and Ayur.
Sources said that a South African wireless solutions provider Tellumat is holding talks with DRDO to have Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, which are used in programs such as AEWC&S. The IFF sensors proposal may be beneficial to India since it may create an opportunity for India if Tellumat plans to manufacture them here.
DRDO will also try to involve an international major for the integration and evaluation of the AEWC&S and the contenders include Israels Elta, European EADS, Swedens Saab Erikson and the US Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. This is aimed at reducing the cost and time overruns in the project.
The state-owned Defence and Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is all set to develop an economical indigenous radar system which will help India achieve self reliance and boost the private sector participation in the defence business.
The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), which is a part of the DRDO, is currently developing the low-cost radar system which they claim could be similar or even more advanced than the Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). CABS officials indicated that DRDO has technology to make an airborne early warning and control system (AEWC&S) which can be used to develop a radar similar to AWACS.
The Chief Controller of DRDO (R&D) Dr.Prahlada said that the indigenous AEWC&S, to be mounted on three Embraer-145 jets, being obtained from Brazil for $210 million will be very advanced with the latest image processing facilities and better software systems compared to foreign sophisticated radar systems.
DRDO officials indicated that the AEWC&S is scheduled for delivery by 2011 and it will be a $360 million project.
The advanced radar system will also be useful for the Indian Air Force (IAF) who are currently seeking to acquire 20 additional advanced systems. India has already acquired the AWACS from Israel earlier this year, which is part of a $1.1-billion defence deal with Israel. The system is designed to detect aircraft at high altitude and allows operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft from hundreds of miles away.
It has been estimated that the Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) would benefit in India since the project will create business opportunities worth $125 million approximately. Currently, DRDO and CABS are availing the services and acquiring products from SMEs and Public Sector Undertakings for the development of this system. CABS and its work centres like Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) and Defence Electronics Research Laboratory have developed indigenous software for tactical battle management and signal processing, which can be used in the radars. This has significantly reduced the cost of the advanced system and helped local players to tap the defence sector. Other public and private players involved are Astra Microwave, Alligator Designs, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Cornett, Data Patterns and Ayur.
Sources said that a South African wireless solutions provider Tellumat is holding talks with DRDO to have Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, which are used in programs such as AEWC&S. The IFF sensors proposal may be beneficial to India since it may create an opportunity for India if Tellumat plans to manufacture them here.
DRDO will also try to involve an international major for the integration and evaluation of the AEWC&S and the contenders include Israels Elta, European EADS, Swedens Saab Erikson and the US Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. This is aimed at reducing the cost and time overruns in the project.
