Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), has underscored the necessity for a concerted national effort to develop advanced anti-stealth radar and long-range air defence systems. Speaking at the CNN-News18 Defence Townhall, he highlighted the urgency of fortifying India’s air defence capabilities in response to the looming threat posed by fifth-generation fighter jets, particularly from nations like China and Pakistan.
Dixit emphasized that India’s military must prepare for confrontations with stealth-enabled platforms such as China’s J-20 and FC-31, as well as the increasing likelihood of Pakistan acquiring similar capabilities. His comments are particularly timely given the recent operational outcomes of Operation Sindoor, a swift military engagement with Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam.
The Air Marshal noted that modern stealth platforms—including the U.S. F-35, China’s J-20, and Russia’s Su-57—are changing the dynamics of aerial combat. These aircraft are designed with advanced features such as a low radar cross-section (RCS), sensor fusion, supercruise capabilities, and integration with drones and hypersonic systems, providing them with a decisive “first look, first kill” advantage.
The deployment of the J-20 by China near the Line of Actual Control has raised alarm among Indian defense officials, especially with concerns regarding the possible export of the FC-31 to Pakistan. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s employment of the Chinese-made YLC-8E anti-stealth radar underscored the escalating electronic warfare capabilities in the region.
Reflecting on the lessons learned from the operation, Dixit declared, “The side that sees first, sees farthest, and sees most accurately prevails.” He stressed the urgent need for India to expedite advancements in technologies that can detect and neutralize stealth threats before they can engage.
India currently maintains a multi-layered air defence architecture that incorporates both indigenous and foreign systems. The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), developed by Bharat Electronics Limited, serves as a crucial element by amalgamating data from radars, airborne sensors, and command centers for swift responses. It played a vital role during Operation Sindoor, coordinating various systems such as Akash, MR-SAM, and the S-400.
The Akash and Akash-NG systems, capable of intercepting aerial threats within ranges of up to 80 km, and the Indo-Israeli MR-SAM, ranging between 70 to 100 km, proved instrumental during the operation. The S-400 Triumf system, providing coverage up to 400 km, effectively compelled Pakistani assets to reevaluate their positions.
The Arudhra radar, developed by DRDO, boasts a 300 km detection range and has been designed to track low-RCS targets, further enriching India’s air defence framework. To enhance this architecture, DRDO recently announced Project Kusha, India’s indigenous long-range air defence system, akin to the Russian S-500. This project aims to neutralize stealth aircraft, hypersonic weapons, and ballistic missiles, featuring a Long-Range Battle Management Radar (LRBMR) capable of detecting targets over 500 km away. The system will offer layered protection through three interceptors, targeting an interception rate of 80–90%, with operational deployment slated for 2028–2029.
Despite these advances, Dixit pointed out the inherent challenge of detecting stealth aircraft, which leverage low RCS, electronic countermeasures, and advanced coatings that render them difficult to identify with conventional radars. He called attention to the necessity of developing anti-stealth radars that operate in lower frequency bands such as VHF and UHF, which can better identify stealth aircraft, albeit with lower resolution.
He also advocated for the integration of multi-band radar systems to create a comprehensive air picture that mitigates the limitations of individual frequency bands. Future technologies like quantum radar and passive radar systems, which can detect stealth aircraft utilizing ambient radio signals, were highlighted as critical areas for research.
Project Kusha is envisioned as a transformative initiative that aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign, emphasizing indigenous design and development. Furthermore, it positions India to provide advanced air defence solutions to nations seeking alternatives to existing Russian and Western military technologies.
As aerial warfare rapidly evolves, Dixit’s statements indicate a strategic imperative: India must evolve its radar technologies and long-range air defence systems to safeguard its airspace against the stealth threats of the future.
