According to a report by the journalist of "India Today", Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has decided to abandon its plan to use indigenous active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and electronic warfare systems on the Tejas MK-1A jet fighter, opting instead for Israeli ELTA systems. This decision dealt a major blow to India's defense indigenization goals and sparked widespread controversy within domestic defense institutions.
In February 2021, the Indian Air Force signed a contract worth 48 billion rupees with HAL to procure 83 multi-role Tejas MK-1A fighter jets, explicitly committing to integrate the indigenous AESA radar and SRK electronic warfare suite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) starting from the 41st aircraft. However, in March 2025, HAL announced that all 83 aircraft would uniformly adopt Israeli airborne systems, completely abandoning the domestic technology. This decision not only violated the original commitment but also contrasted sharply with the Modi government's high-profile promotion of indigenous defense system capabilities. Can India produce world-leading AESA radar?
Previously, the gallium nitride radar was an important milestone in India's defense technology. Developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (ERDE) under the DRDO since 2008, this radar features 912 transmit/receive modules and can track 50 targets at 100 kilometers and engage four targets simultaneously. According to claims, after 230 hours of airborne testing and 125 test flights on the Tejas MK-1 prototype, its performance is said to be comparable to the Israeli EL/M-2052 radar. Similarly, the SRK electronic warfare suite is equipped with advanced radar warning receivers and self-protection jammers based on digital radio frequency memory technology, providing 360-degree radar threat protection. These technologies demonstrate India's independent innovation capability in the defense sector.
HAL argued that the indigenous radar and electronic warfare systems were abandoned due to the lack of production certification from the Military Aircraft Certification and Approval Centre, forcing them to choose mature Israeli technology to ensure delivery. However, Indian officials rebutted that the indigenous AESA radar had already passed certification in 2023, and the certification of the SRK suite was nearly complete. In April 2025, Indian authorities further confirmed that the indigenous AESA radar had completed four stages of flight tests and recommended the start of production. This timeline indicates that the certification issue was not insurmountable. More puzzlingly, HAL had issued a tender for 43 indigenous Tejas radars in November 2024, but then suddenly switched to foreign technology a few months later.
The production of the Tejas MK-1A was severely hindered by delays in the supply of GE Aviation F404-IN20 engines. Originally scheduled to begin deliveries in February 2024, as of June 2025, no aircraft had been delivered. The first batch of engines arrived in March 2025, nearly two years late. HAL stated that at least six aircraft were ready and waiting for engine installation, and it is expected to deliver 12 aircraft this fiscal year. The huge production pressure may have prompted HAL to choose verified foreign technology to avoid further delays caused by adopting domestic systems.
HAL's decision constitutes a significant setback for India's "Self-Reliant" initiative. The government has invested heavily in promoting defense autonomy through positive indigenization lists and procurement requirements mandating 50% indigenous content. However, abandoning the domestic radar and electronic warfare suites means India continues to rely on foreign technology in critical areas. A former DRDO scientist pointed out that controlling the radar system supply chain and source code is crucial for national security, especially when imported systems might be compromised during wartime. This decision could also weaken the development of the domestic supply chain and limit opportunities for private companies to develop advanced technologies.
Evidently, the main reason behind HAL's decision is a lack of confidence in domestic technology. To put it bluntly, the Indian aerospace company itself believes that its domestic radar is garbage and cannot be used.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530527441463378468/
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