In a significant move to enhance its indigenous defence capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has entered into a contract valued at around ₹275 crore with Hyderabad-based Astra Rafael Comsys (ARC). This agreement focuses on the supply and integration of advanced Software Defined Radios (SDRs), a development expected to revamp the IAF’s communication systems.
The contract is a critical element of the IAF’s modernization strategy, aimed at upgrading its airborne communication architecture and aligning with contemporary network-centric warfare requirements.
The agreement encompasses two primary elements. Firstly, ARC will retrofit existing MiG-29 fighter aircraft with state-of-the-art SDR systems, improving the communication capabilities of these somewhat older yet still effective platforms. Secondly, the company will provide 24 SDR units for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A. This modern indigenous fighter jet is pivotal for the IAF’s initiative to phase out the aging MiG-21 Bison fleet, and the integration of SDR technology ensures that the Tejas Mk-1A meets contemporary 4.5-generation combat communication standards.
Software Defined Radios represent a paradigm shift in communication technology. Unlike traditional hardware-based radios, SDRs utilize software to handle various communication functions such as modulation, demodulation, and signal processing. This approach offers superior flexibility, allowing aircraft to dynamically alter frequencies, waveforms, and protocols, a capability that is invaluable in contested environments.
Defence officials highlighted several benefits that the new SDR systems will offer, including:
– Seamless interoperability among air, land, and naval forces
– Real-time transmission of voice, data, and video
– Enhanced secure communication in high-threat airspace
– Rapid capability upgrades via software updates without necessitating hardware changes
These advantages are essential components of modern Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) frameworks and are crucial for effective net-centric warfare.
Astra Rafael Comsys is a joint venture formed by India’s Astra Microwave Products Limited and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. Operating out of Hyderabad, ARC is notable for running India’s first private-sector facility dedicated to producing military-grade SDRs. The initiative benefits from technological support from Rafael, which has facilitated a high degree of indigenisation and reduced reliance on foreign avionics. It has been reported that indigenous content in the communication systems for the Tejas Mk-1A is anticipated to exceed 60%, thereby strengthening the governmental initiatives of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
The introduction of SDRs is expected to hugely enhance the IAF’s capabilities, particularly in countering technologically advanced rivals like China’s J-10 and Pakistan’s JF-17. For the existing MiG-29 fleet, this upgrade will prolong its operational lifespan, while for the Tejas Mk-1A, it lays a firm foundation for future communications.
Economically, the ₹275 crore deal bolsters Hyderabad’s expanding defence manufacturing sector, fostering skilled employment opportunities in engineering, research and development, and advanced electronics, while also benefiting a broader micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) supply chain.
Looking toward the future, defence analysts speculate that this agreement may set a precedent for broader SDR implementation across the IAF. Potential applications could extend to platforms like the Su-30MKI, Rafale, and the forthcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), helping to unify a secure communication framework across the entire force.
This contract epitomizes the growing significance of India’s private defence sector in delivering critical high-technology solutions, signaling progress toward a robust and future-ready aerial command and control network for the Indian Air Force.
