Tejas MkII Set to Feature GaN-Based AESA Radar Before Rafale F5, Marking Major Indigenous Milestone
India’s Uttam radar outpaces French systems with early integration on Tejas MkII and Mk1A, boosting IAF’s sensor superiority
India Leaps Ahead in AESA Radar Technology
In a significant breakthrough for indigenous defense technology, India’s Tejas MkII is on track to become one of the world’s first operational fighter jets equipped with a Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based AESA radar, potentially outpacing the French Rafale F5, which is expected to integrate similar technology by the early 2030s.
- The GaN-based Uttam AESA radar, developed by DRDO’s LRDE, will be installed on Tejas MkII and later Tejas Mk1A units beginning in 2026.
- This would give India a technological edge in radar systems ahead of several leading global aerospace programs.
Uttam AESA: A Technological Game-Changer
The GaN-based Uttam radar offers superior performance over the existing Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) radars used globally:
- 912 Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs) in MkII variant vs. 838 TRMs in Rafale’s current RBE2-AA.
- Increased peak power (approx. 9,120 W) and improved thermal efficiency.
- Advanced features including multi-target tracking, SAR imaging, and enhanced resistance to jamming.
The radar’s architecture supports air-to-air and air-to-ground roles, making it a vital enabler of the Astra MkIII BVR missile, capable of engaging targets up to 350 km away.
Strategic Implications for Tejas vs. Rafale
While Dassault Aviation’s Rafale F5 will eventually field the RBE2 XG GaN radar, it won’t enter operational service before 2033, giving India a seven-year lead in fielding this advanced radar tech.
- The Rafale F5’s radar, though powerful, remains in development and is part of a larger upgrade suite including ASN4G hypersonic missile compatibility and UCAV collaboration.
- The Tejas MkII, meanwhile, is slated for its first flight by late 2025, with radar integration already underway.
Indigenization and “Make in India” Push
This achievement represents a landmark in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign:
- The Uttam radar will replace the Israeli ELM-2052 on Tejas Mk1A from the 41st unit onward.
- This eliminates reliance on foreign radar systems and boosts domestic avionics expertise.
With the Tejas MkII featuring a larger nose cone, it will accommodate between 912–968 TRMs, increasing detection range against a 2m² RCS target to over 150 km—comparable to Rafale’s GaAs-based radar.
