Indian Build Up

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The Indian Army has taken delivery of all the 12 sophisticated Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) it had contracted to buy from leading US arms manufacturer Raytheon.

Ten of the 12 Firefinder radars had been supplied till last year, and the remaining two recently, according to a report in the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, an advance copy of which has been made available to IANS.

Designated AN-TPQ/37 Firefinder, the radars are used to locate and destroy hostile artillery fire. The army had actually projected their requirement in the early 1980s but their urgent necessity was felt when in the 1999 Kargil war it suffered more than 80 percent of its casualties to Pakistani artillery fire.

Pakistan then also had the advantage of WLRs, although of an earlier version -- AN-TPQ/36, which it had acquired in the early 1980s virtually for free in military doles from the US.

The deal for WLRs, signed in 2002, was the first one India signed with the US in the post-Cold War era, thanks to the improving diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Washington.

Initially, India looked for only eight WLRs under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme for $140 million but later, another four were added, taking the value to nearly $200 million.

Although the Indian Army needs a number of WLRs, there is no transfer of technology (ToT) involved in the deal with Raytheon. The remaining requirement is being met by a newly developed phased array system indigenously built by the public sector Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Carrier vehicles for the Firefinder radars and support systems are being supplied by another public sector company, the fast growing Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).

As for the AN-TPQ/37, the highly advanced radar can track 'first-round' hostile fire within seconds from a range of three to 50 km, and then launch precise counter attacks. Significantly, this radar can also be configured to detect missiles by adding a 60-degree sector mode antenna to extend its range.

A radar's computerised signal processors detects, verifies and tracks up to 10 artillery, mortar or rocket projectiles, and then estimates their firing position as well as the impact point. The system helps in correcting friendly fire in neutralising enemy positions. Manned by a crew of 12, the radar is capable of separating any clutter generated by birds, helicopters and aircraft.

Raytheon does not make platforms like aircraft or ships but, according to Admiral Walter F. Doran (retd), the recently appointed president of Raytheon Asia 'lends substance' to them. For instance, INS Jalashva, or the former USS Trenton, which the Indian Navy has purchased this year for $45 million under the FMS programme, has its main onboard equipment supplied by Raytheon.

'We do not manufacture platforms, but we lend substance to them... We are the technology virtually behind every mission,' Doran told India Strategic in a recent interview in New Delhi.

Notably, Raytheon also has the most advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology at the moment, which is going to be a key determinant in buying the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). Raytheon has offered to install it on either of the two US jets, the Boeing F-18 Super Hornet or the Lockheed Martin F-16, depending upon India's choice.

Other contenders in the race are also developing their AESA radars, promising mature technology by the time India buys them.

Raytheon officials say that as its AESA radar has no moving parts, it can be used for 10,000 to 15,000 hours, that is, 10 to 30 times more than older radars. The AESA units also function as messaging tools for communication between a number of aircraft, satellites, ships or ground control.

The Firefinder deal includes generators, trailers, communications equipment, logistic services, quality assurance, spare parts, publications and other programme support elements.

 

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The Indian Army is all set to test the surface-to-surface medium range Prithvi-1 missile next week, say officials.
The missile, which went into production after a series of testing, will be launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located at Chandipur in Orissa's Balasore district.

"This is a limited stock production (LSP) test by the users (Indian Army). A Prithvi-1 missile has been randomly selected from the already prepared missiles and will be used for the test," an official source told the media.

Prithvi is one of the five missiles under various stages of development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). However, Prithvi-1 has been inducted with the missile regiment of Indian Army based at Hyderabad.

"The recent successful test firings of Agni, BrahMos, Dhanush and Astra missiles have moved us to go for a user trial of Prithvi-1," a military scientist says.

The 8.56-metre-high and one metre thick missile, with a launch weight of 4.4 tonnes excluding the payload, has a minimum range of 50 km and a maximum of 150 km. It has the capability to carry a payload of 1,000 kg.

The missile has two liquid propellant motors side-by-side, providing aerodynamic control as well as thrust vectoring. It stops climbing when it reaches an altitude of 30 km and dives at the target at an 80-degree angle.

 

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Defence sector sources indicate that indigenous Electronic Warfare Systems are being installed by the Indian Navy through its current modernization drive.

Sangraha Electronic Warfare (EW) System - which has been jointly developed by the Indian Navy and DRDO's Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) - is being implemented in Indian naval assets across the country.

The system comprises of a family of EW suites for different Naval platforms capable of intercepting, detecting and classifying pulsed, CW, PRF agile, frequency agile and chirp radars. The systems employ modular approach facilitating deployment on a variety of platforms viz. helicopters, vehicles, small ships etc. Certain specific platforms apart from ESM also have ECM capabilities. State-of-the-art technologies like Multiple Beam Phased array jammers are employed in the system for simultaneous handling of multiple threats.

In addition, at least 15 KITE Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system have been inducted in service on Kamov and Chetak Helicopters. Furthermore 47 KITE systems are in order and in various levels of production and integration.

EAGLE ESM systems have been installed on Dornier aircraft and 8 more systems have been ordered. First 5 HOMI systems built by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have been installed on TU-142 aircraft and additional orders are being processed.

Two PORPOISE ESM systems have been installed in EKM Submarines and additional 11 systems have been ordered. ELLORA system built by BEL has been installed on INS Beas. Three more ships of INS Beas class and three ships of P-17 class will be equipped with ELLORA.

 

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May, 2007 (FIDSNS)

Nag has in principle been accepted by the Army and has issued a trial directive for conduct of user trials. Induction will follow soon after. The transfer of technology has been completed from DRDO to a production agencies.

NAG has a tandem warhead designed to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected Main Battle Tank’s (MBT) in both top and front attack modes. The warhead has been proved against ERA protected Reactive Hull Armor (RHA) target at various angles of attack viz 45 degree, 65 degree and 67 degree.

In addition a 2 dimensional thermal infrared target has been developed for NAG trials. Imaging infrared (IIR) seeker based filtering, guidence and control system design methodolgy has been established for NAG ATMG land system.

The Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) version NAG Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATMG) has also been tested against tank turret with zero miss distance. Commander cupola of NAMICA also has a remote controlled firing station for 7.62mm gun . It uses an electro mechanical drive for providing gun laying in elevation and azimuth. NAMICA MK-II nowfeatures an automatic NBC system.

NAG also features composites on air frame shells, ablative components, wings and fins.

 

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SANGRAHA Electronic Warfare (EW) system jointly developed by Indian navy and Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) is being implemeted in Indian naval assets.

15 KITE Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system have been inducted in service on Kamov and Chetak Helicopters. Additional 47 KITE systems are in order and in various levels of production and integration. EAGLE ESM systems have been installed on Dornier aircraft and 8 more systems have been ordered. First 5 HOMI systems built by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have been installed on TU-142 aircraft and additional orders are being processed. 2 PORPOISE ESM systems have been installed in EKM Submarines and additional 11 systems have been ordered. ELLORA system built by BEL has been installed on INS Beas. Three more ships of INS Beas class and three ships of P-17 class will be equipped with ELLORA

 

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BANGALORE: Even as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the defence has pulled up the Defence Research and Development (DRDO) for delay in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas project, the Bangalore headquartered Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is using all its resources to “speed-up” the prestigious project.

Despite time delays due to various reasons, the project has now entered the much-awaited production stage with the first Limited Series Production (LSP) aircraft hitting the sky recently.

Two divisions at HAL, Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) and a LCA unit are working on the project. That apart, Line Replacement Units (LRU) which are significant in any aircraft programme, have also been set-up by a dedicated team at the PSU.

“Our challenge is to speed up the LCA project and we are putting all our resources to expedite the whole process,” HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ashok K Baweja told this website’s newspaper on Friday. “Four more platforms will be added by the end of the year and with that we will have more platforms to conduct the trials.”

Six LCAs, Technology Demonstrator I, II and PV I and II and first LSP aircraft are already flying. As on Friday, Tejas has completed 660 Test Flights (TD1-207, TD2-257, PV1-133, PV2-28, PV3-34, LSP1-1).

Adding more platforms will aid in conducting various tests simultaneously and expedite the process of getting Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and also the Final Operational Clearance. While IOC is expected by 2009, the final operational clearance is likely to come through by 2010.

The PSU, Baweja said, is working closely with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and the project is being reviewed every month. Bangalore-based DRDO lab, ADA has designed and developed the LCA and HAL is now producing the aircraft.

It is not unusual of HAL to take initiatives to expedite the project as it has a commitment of delivering 28 aircraft, of them eight LSP aircraft to the IAF. Delay in delivering the aircraft to IAF will dent the PSU's image and the top brass at the PSU are not in a mood to take any chances.

In its report presented in the parliament on Friday, the Parliamentary Committee on the defence has insisted on a strict deadline to complete the project.

 

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programme for Military applications.

DRDO has developed UAV, Nishant. After the user trial, Army has placed an order for 12 UAVs alongwith ground support systems, which is currently under Limited Series Production. DRDO is also taking up a programme for development of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV to meet the requirements of the three Services.

European and Israeli companies have suo motu approached DRDO for undertaking joint development programme on UAVs. Preliminary presentations have been made by European and Israeli companies to bring out and demonstrate their capabilities on UAVs.

Presently, DRDO is planning to undertake development of MALE UAV along with Indian partner only. However, if required, limited consultancy or joint development on certain key technologies regarding UAVs, may be undertaken with foreign companies. This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri in Asaduddin Owaisi Lok Sabha today.

 

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BANGALORE: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is aiming at developing a Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided parachute system that could deliver supplies from about 30,000 feet altitude with pin-point accuracy, avoiding important cargo loss during natural and man-made calamities.

The technology would also benefit the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Space capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE).

The last part of the SRE involves the space capsule splashing sown in the sea using a huge parachute. The space capsule is then retrieved by the Coast Guard.

DRDO sources told this website’s newspaper that the GPS-guided parachutes, to be developed by the Agra-based Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), would be aided by satellites to guide its descent which would be pre-programmed.

In case of severe wind causing it to drift, the parachute can also be guided from the ground using a control panel with a joystick.

The technology would be crucially relevant for dropping troops and supplies like food, weapons and ammunition in hazardous and zero-visibility conditions like in the Siachen region.

Experts said important cargo containing food and medicine have been lost earlier in earthquake-hit or flood-hit regions when the parachutes carrying the cargo have dropped out of reach of the affected people.

"The GPS-guided parachutes can have an error of 100 to 150 yards, which means that a location like an open field or a football ground can be pre-planned as the drop zone," explained a DRDO scientist.

ISRO's SRE programme Associate Director, N C Bhat, said the technology could greatly benefit the space capsule retrieval, which presently uses a beacon to emit signals to the Coast Guard to relay its location at sea.

He said the GPS capability could help the Coast Guard to be closer to the location of splashdown to cut time and cost during retrieval.

The SRE programme is a run-up to India's manned space mission in which the astronauts would return to earth in the space capsule. So cutting time would be crucial for the astronauts' well being.

The system is already in use in the USA and some European countries.

 

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The government has for the first time invited an Indian company and at least two more foreign firms to upgrade the army's entire complement of over 360 Bofors artillery guns for $400 million.

The request for proposals dispatched to a company of the Mumbai-based Tata group, El Bit of Israel and British BAE Systems, which now owns Bofors, requires them to present the upgraded gun for field trials by the year end.

India acquired the FH77B 155mm, 39 calibre guns from the now defunct Swedish firm of AB Bofors in 1987. They will be upgraded to 45 calibre ones. The upgraded howitzers will have an enhanced range. This will be achieved by replacing the barrel and breechblock and strengthening the under carriage.

The Tata group is hopeful of working with India's state-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) which, according to the original $1.4 billion deal with Bofors - later SWS Defense AB - was to build the guns under licence at its Kanpur unit.

But OFB, to which all the howitzer blueprints and technical details were transferred, never exercised the option as the howitzer import was mired in a corruption scandal.

"We want to collaborate with OFB to make the upgrade a success by an Indian company," said a senior official from the Strategic Electronics Division of the Tata group.

The Tatas are one of around 15 Indian companies granted a licence two years ago by the defence ministry to build military equipment as part of efforts to enhance indigenous military capability through privatisation.

The Tatas and Mumbai-based Larsen and Toubro are the first private manufacturers to be jointly awarded a major defence contract - the Rs 50 billion deal to develop the launcher, fire control system and guidance electronics for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher. They will build 20 launchers apiece.

"For the howitzer upgrade, we plan to capitalise on the ballistic experience acquired in developing the Pinaka," Rahul Chowdhry, head of Tata's Strategic Electronics Division, said.

Under its interminably delayed "Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan", the Indian Army proposes to configure its artillery profile around the upgraded 155mm guns and 180 pieces of the 130mm M-46 field gun upgraded by Israel's Soltam to 155mm.

In addition, the artillery will acquire up to 1,400 155mm-52 calibre towed, wheeled and tracked self-propelled howitzers. A fresh round of howitzer trials is expected later in the summer after the army revises its qualitative requirements and invites overseas vendors.

Three rounds of trials in as many years to buy 180 towed howitzers - which involved South Africa's Denel, Soltam and SWS - were inconclusive. The trials ended in late 2004.

 

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Handheld GPS computers for soldiers in difficult terrains

Jammu, May. 6 (PTI): The army is set to equip soldiers with handheld multi-role computers to enable them to pinpoint their field locations in difficult-terrain tactical warfare and for counter-insurgency operations.

The device, 'Sathi' (situational awareness and tactical handheld information), is in the "final phase of user trials" and expected to be introduced after certain modifications, Northern Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen H S Panag said.

There were drawbacks, most of which were rectified. "Some modifications were done and some more are required before it is given the all-clear for induction in the infantry for mechanised warfare, he said.

Ninety 'Sathis' were delivered to the army in Jammu and Kashmir to conduct trials in "borderline and in-depth counter- insurgency areas in March 2005.

The device was initially called "Baaz", alluding to the hawk's view of the battlefield, but was later renamed "sathi (friend) to fit the soldier's needs", defence sources said.

President A P J Abdul Kalam on a visit to Rajouri district in 2004 said, "when I saw Baaz, I was reminded of the smart soldier of the 21st century".

Four countries use handheld multi-role computers but India is the first to use Linux-based portable computers in the battlefield and the first to use open sourced operating system to power it.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200705061714.htm

 

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Raytheon Delivers Twelve Firefinder Radars to Indian Army


The Indian Army has taken delivery of all twelve AN-TPQ/37 Firefinder Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) it had contracted to buy from leading US arms manufacturer Raytheon.

According to a report in the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, ten of these Firefinder radars had been delivered to the army by last year, and the remaining two have been received recently.

The AN-TPQ/37 Firefinder radars are used to locate and destroy hostile artillery fire. The highly advanced radar can track "first-round" hostile fire within seconds, from a range of three to 50 km, and launch precise counter attacks. The radar also holds strategic significance in that it can be configured to detect missiles by adding a 60-degree sector mode antenna to extend its range.

The radar's computerised signal processors detect, verify and track up to 10 artillery, mortar or rocket projectiles, estimates their firing position as well as the impact point and helps direct friendly fire in neutralising enemy positions subsequently. Manned by a crew of 12, the radar is capable of separating any clutter generated by birds, helicopters and aircraft.

The army had projected a requirement for these radars as far back as the early 1980s,and sorely felt their lack during the 1999 Kargil engagement, when it suffered more than 80 per cent of its casualties because of Pakistani artillery fire. During the engagement, Pakistan also enjoyed the advantage of operating WLRs, though of an earlier version - the AN TPQ/36, which it had acquired from the US in the early 1980s.

India signed a deal with the US for the advanced version of the WLRs in 2002, as relations between the two countries saw a gradual improvement. Initially, an order for eight of these systems was placed, which was eventually increased by another four.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector unit, subsequently stepped in to provide an indigenously developed system, which deploys phased array technology.

Meanwhile, another public sector company, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), is supplying carrier vehicles for the Firefinder radars and support systems.

According to Admiral Walter F Doran (Retd), recently appointed president of Raytheon Asia, the company does not make platforms like aircraft or ships but "lends substance" to them. For instance, INS Jalashva, (ex-USS Trenton), purchased by the Indian Navy has its main onboard equipment supplied by Raytheon.

"We do not manufacture platforms, but we lend substance to them... We are the technology virtually behind every mission," Doran says in an interview with India Strategic.

Raytheon has also developed the most advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology, which it expects to be a key determinant when orders are placed for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). Raytheon has offered to install it on either of the two competing US jets, the Boeing F-18 Super Hornet or the Lockheed Martin F-16.

According to Raytheon officials, its AESA radar has no moving parts and it can be used for 10,000 to 15,000 hours, that is, 10 to 30 times more than more vintage radars. AESA units also function as communication tools for between a number of aircraft, satellites, ships or ground control.

The Firefinder deal includes generators, trailers, communications equipment, logistic services, quality assurance, spare parts, publications and other programme support elements.
http://www.india-defence.com/reports-3117

 

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An Israeli firm has bagged a USD 25 million deal to provide night vision devices to the Indian Army, an order which has made India the single largest importer of defence equipment from the West Asian country.

The Israeli firm, Starnight Technologies, will provide night vision equipment over a two-year period ending August 2009, to equip two infantry mountain divisions, according to highly placed sources here.

This is the second major order for night vision devices bagged by the Israeli firm, which through an agreement signed in November, had agreed to supply such equipment worth USD 38 million dollars.

"This is a follow up order," an Israeli official said. Army Chief Gen. J J Singh had recently said that as part of infantry modernization, Army planned to equip all its battalions with night vision equipment.

Though almost all the front line units and those engaged in counter-insurgency have been equipped with night vision devices, according to Army estimates such equipment worth over USD 500 million was still needed to arm the remaining units. The Israel Defence Ministry had recently announced that India now was its largest single importer of defence equipment with orders running as high as USD 1.5 billion last year.

It said this constituted about 50 per cent of Israeli defence exports and about 30 per cent of India armament imports. Despite its defence industry facing financial crunch, Russia continues to be the main weapons supplier to India, constituting 35 per cent of Indian weapon imports. Moscow's arms exports to India range from fighters to warships and spares.

Israeli firms have already supplied India with front line weapons systems like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for the Army, Navy and Air force, night vision devices for army, Tavor range of hand weapons for special forces, close battlefield radars like Loros.

Tel Aviv has also bagged an Indian order for supply of three Airborne Early Warning and Air Control System aircraft to the IAF. A follow up order is expected after the first of these aircraft are delivered later this year.

 

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Indian Army To Induct Brahmos Missiles Ahead Of Schedule

With all the four test firings going without blemish, Army is planning to induct the BrahMos supersonic land attack cruise missile months ahead of schedule.

The first missile sub-group to be equipped with BrahMos has already become operational and in the first order, Army will get 12 launchers comprising four mobile autonomous launchers, according to DRDO sources here.

Army is planning to induct the BrahMos, which will be heralded by President A P J Abdul Kalam, during the middle of the year. The proposed early induction of the supersonic cruise missile will come even as American satellite images showed that Pakistan was in the process of deploying its next generation Shaheen II missiles which have the range to hit any part of India.

Brahmos chief executive A Sivathanu Pillai termed it as a missile with no equivalent in the world and said all its four tests -- two in Pokhran and two at the interim test range at Chandipur -- validated all the technical parameters. The missile has a range of 290 kms.

"It is ready for induction and upgrades can be carried out even after its becomes operational with the Army," he said. Army had signed an agreement in March 2006 which stipulated that the land version of the missile would be delivered to it by the middle of next year.

In the last two tests, Army personnel fired the missile independent of scientists from their own complex, sources said. The land attack version of the BrahMos uses thermal sensors which gives the missile a capability to be ready for firing within two minutes, unlike, the existing short-range surface-to-surface Prithvi missile that require a 20-minute preparation time.

When the first sub-group becomes operational, it will give the Army the punch to fire 12 missiles at 12 different targets simultaneously within 30 seconds.

During tests, DRDO sources said the land attack cruise missile (LACM) had demonstrated zero circular error probability, marking it a weapon of almost pinpoint precision.

According to DRDO officials, efforts are on to imbibe the scramjet technology into the missile to increase its speed to almost Mach eight, which is eight times the speed of sound.

With the induction of the BrahMos missile, Army will now be equipped with four types of missiles ranging from LACM, short range Prithvi, 700 km range Agni to medium range 2,000 km Agni II missile, leading to the possibility of the Army going in for a separate missile division.

 

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PTA Lakshya tests meet broad mission objectives
Two Lakshya development campaigns were conducted at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore during 3-5 January 2007 and 5-9 March 2007 to fly digital Pilotless Target Aircraft, Lakshya in autonomous mode and evaluate engine performance with one tow and one stow configuration, respectively. Both the campaigns met with the broad mission objectives.

 

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Air Force To Acquire EL/M-2083 Aerostat Radars from Israel
India is all set to acquire EL/M-2083 Aerostat radars from Israel to detect and track hostile low-flying aircraft, helicopters, spy drones and missiles.

The EL/M-2083 is an aerostat-mounted air search radar. Another system of this kind is the Tethered Aerostat Radar System. It is an early warning and control phased array radar designed to detect hostile approaching aircraft from long ranges, especially when they approach at low altitudes. Data gathered by the radar is transmitted to a central air defense command & control center where it is used to maintain an extended comprehensive air situation picture.

Once a potential threat has been detected the onboard system alerts responders in a timely manner. It is based on the EL/M-2080.

India will also receive the first of the PHALCON AWACS from Israel by February 2008. Both AWACS and Aerostat radars (phased-array radars mounted on blimp-like balloons tethered to ground) act as "eyes in the skies" since they can detect air intrusions much earlier than ground-based radars.

'Times of India' further reports:
The four more Aerostat radars is a follow-on order to the successful deployment of the two EL/M-2083 Aerostat radars, inducted from Israel in 2004-2005, along the border in Kutch region and Punjab. In all, IAF has projected a requirement of 13 Aerostat radars, with each one capable of providing three-dimensional low-altitude coverage equal to 30-40 ground-based radars. Incidentally, Pakistan too is acquiring six Aerostat L-88 radar systems from the US in an estimated $155-million deal.

IAF, on its part, also plans to acquire a wide array of LLTRs (low-level transportable radars), LLLWRs (low-level light weight radars), CARs (central acquisition radars) and SARs (synthetic aperture radars) over the next five years to improve its air defence capabilities. Most of these requirements are being sourced from Israel, which has emerged as India’s second-largest defence supplier with annual sales worth almost $1 billion.

Interestingly, the EL/M-2083 Aerostat radars are simpler versions of the EL/M-2080 Green Pine radars, which are an integral part of the Israeli Arrow-2 BMD (ballistic missile defence) systems. India has used the two Green Pine radars, imported from Israel in 2001-2002, to develop its own long-range tracking radar which was used in last year’s test of an indigenous "exo-atmospheric" BMD system