The Virupaksha AESA radar is seen at Aero India 2025. (Janes/Rakend P)
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) displayed its new multimode, multifunctional Virupaksha radar at Aero India 2025 in Bangalore.
A DRDO official told Janes that the Virupaksha active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has been designed for the Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI upgrade programme.
The air intercept radar is 4D-capable and can simultaneously detect and measure the 4D parameters of the target, including its range, azimuth, elevation, and relative velocity. The radar utilises pulse Doppler technology to detect the moving targets.
DRDO said it has finalised the design architecture of the radar and it can operate in multiple modes – consisting of air-to-air, close combat, air-to-ground, air-to-sea, and ‘navigation' – simultaneously.
The Virupaksha radar's antenna is 950 mm in diameter and is equipped with approximately 2,400 TR (transmit/receive) modules to achieve high resolution and enhance situational awareness and strike capability. Gallium nitride (GaN) TR modules used in the radar provide high output power and enhance signal reception while being operated.
Radar parameters, including operational frequency and range specifications, were not disclosed by the DRDO. However, officials said that the radar is integrated with advanced electronic counter-counter measures (ECCM) to enable effective operations in a complex electronic battlefield environment.
DRDO officials told Janes that the DRDO has not yet finalised a production partner for the radar. However, officials said that they expect a requirement for the production and sustainment of a large number of Virupaksha radars.
Janes previously reported that the Indian Air Force is aiming to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft in an initial tranche. This upgrade project will include replacing the Su-30MKI's existing Russian-made N011 Bars radar with an indigenously developed AESA system.
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