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Radar & Surveillance Systems of Indian Air Force | IAF Air Defence Explained

 

Radar and Surveillance Systems of the Indian Air Force (IAF): Guardians of Indian Skies

The Indian Air Force (IAF), one of the most advanced and strategically positioned air forces in the world, relies heavily on a sophisticated network of radars and surveillance systems to ensure the protection and sovereignty of Indian airspace. These systems act as the "eyes and ears" of the IAF, enabling early warning, detection, identification, tracking, and command-and-control coordination across India’s vast and diverse terrain.

In this blog, we explore the key radar and surveillance systems deployed by the IAF, their technologies, capabilities, and strategic importance.

🛡️ Why Radar and Surveillance Are Vital for IAF

  • Airspace Monitoring: To track and detect all flying objects including aircraft, UAVs, missiles, etc.

  • Early Warning: Alerting command centers of any incoming threat in real-time.

  • Battlefield Management: Helping in air defense coordination during operations.

  • Strategic Superiority: Enhancing situational awareness over borders and oceans.

🛰️ Categories of Radar and Surveillance Systems in IAF

  1. Ground-Based Radars (GBRs)

  2. Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AEW&C)

  3. Aerostat Radars

  4. Satellite Surveillance

  5. Passive Radar and ELINT Systems

  6. Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS)

Let’s understand each in detail.

📡 1. Ground-Based Radar Systems

Ground-based radars form the backbone of India’s low-to-high altitude surveillance. They provide 24/7 monitoring across borders and vital installations.

🔹 INDRA Series (Indian Doppler Radar)

  • Developed by: DRDO

  • Type: 2D Low-Level Surveillance Radar

  • Role: Detecting low-flying aircraft, especially in mountainous or forested terrain.

  • Range: 90–100 km

  • Mobility: Mobile truck-mounted system

  • Operational Use: Widely deployed in border regions


🔹 Rajendra Radar

  • Developed by: DRDO

  • Type: 3D phased-array radar

  • Range: 80 km (tracking), up to 150 km (surveillance)

  • Special Use: Works as the fire-control radar for the Akash Surface-to-Air Missile system.




🔹 Rohini Radar


  • Based on: 3D Central Acquisition Radar (CAR)

  • Developer: DRDO + BEL

  • Range: 180 km

  • Target: Tracks up to 200 targets

  • Role: Surveillance & target acquisition for SAM systems






🔹 Aslesha Radar

  • Portable 3D radar, ideal for hilly and remote terrains.

  • Range: 50–60 km

  • Use: Especially useful in northeast and Himalayan sectors




🔹 LLTR (Low Level Transportable Radar)


  • Used for gap-filling in low-altitude radar coverage

  • Highly mobile and can be rapidly deployed



✈️ 2. Airborne Early Warning & Control Systems (AEW&C)

AEW&C aircraft act as "flying radar stations" capable of scanning hundreds of kilometers ahead. They are crucial for offensive and defensive air missions.

🔹 Phalcon AWACS (A-50 EI)

  • Platform: IL-76 aircraft

  • System: Israeli EL/W-2090 AESA radar

  • Range: 400–500 km (360° coverage)

  • Capabilities: Detects aircraft, missiles, drones; integrates with fighter jets; real-time battle management

  • Quantity: 3 operational

  • Operator: No. 50 Squadron, IAF


🔹 Netra AEW&C



  • Platform: EMB-145 aircraft

  • Developed by: DRDO

  • Radar: AESA radar with 240° coverage

  • Range: 250–300 km

  • Role: Airborne surveillance, control, and communication

  • Advantages: Compact, indigenous, operational in high-altitude areas

🔹 Future AEW&C Projects

  • 6 Airbus A321s to be modified with DRDO-developed radars (project underway)

  • Enhanced indigenous AEW&C capabilities in the pipeline

🎈 3. Aerostat Surveillance Systems

Aerostats are helium-filled balloons equipped with radar systems. They can be deployed in stationary positions for persistent low-level surveillance.

🔹 EL/M-2083 Aerostat Radars

  • Manufacturer: Israel

  • Height: Can operate at 15,000 feet

  • Coverage: 300–400 km

  • Role: Detect cruise missiles, UAVs, and helicopters at low altitude

  • Ideal for: Western border surveillance due to flat desert terrain

🛰️ 4. Satellite-Based Surveillance

IAF leverages Indian space assets for real-time imaging, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

🔹 RISAT Series

  • Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites for all-weather, day-night imaging

  • Supports troop movements and base activity detection

🔹 Cartosat Series

  • High-resolution optical imaging for strategic mapping and surveillance

🔹 GSAT-7A (Indian Air Force Satellite)

  • Dedicated for IAF

  • Enhances network-centric warfare capabilities

  • Supports UAVs, ground stations, AEW&C, and fighter data linking

🕵️ 5. Passive Radar and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)

Passive surveillance systems detect enemy radars and communications without emitting signals, providing stealth tracking and jamming resistance.

🔹 Samyukta System

  • Jointly developed by DRDO, BEL, and TATA

  • Tracks enemy communication and radar emissions

  • Used for electronic warfare (EW)

🔹 Divya Drishti

  • Integrated electronic warfare support system

  • Capable of intercepting signals, radar emissions, and jamming hostile frequencies

🔗 6. Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS)

  • The nerve centre of India’s air defence

  • Developed by: BEL + IAF

  • Integrates:

    • All radar stations

    • AWACS

    • Fighter jets

    • Surface-to-air missiles

    • Civil aviation data

  • Function: Provides a real-time air picture across sectors

  • Strategic Nodes: Bhatinda, Barnala, Jodhpur, Tezpur, etc.

This ensures seamless coordination and fast response in case of intrusions or attacks.

🚀 Future Upgrades & Vision

India is moving towards a multi-layered air defence grid, with greater use of:

  • AESA-based radar systems

  • AI-driven data fusion

  • Hyperspectral imaging satellites

  • Indigenous long-range tracking radars

  • Cyber-secure IACCS expansions

🧠 Conclusion

Radar and surveillance systems are not just support elements — they are the first line of defence and enablers of India’s air dominance. The IAF, in coordination with DRDO, ISRO, and private players, continues to strengthen its capabilities, ensuring that India’s skies remain inviolable.

As warfare moves into the age of network-centric and electronic warfare, IAF’s investment in these technologies ensures it remains alert, agile, and lethal.

✅ If you're preparing for exams like AFCAT, CDS, or SSB — understanding India’s radar and surveillance infrastructure is essential for your defence awareness section. 

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