Time for Upgrades: Indian Air Force Chief Looks to New Technologies and Better Quality Radars

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary paid a visit to the ‘Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo’ in Pune, during which he articulated the imperative for the Indian Air Force to transition towards newer technologies and higher quality radars. He disclosed that the Air Force is on the brink of finalizing a new agreement with L&T in pursuit of this objective.

Chaudhary underscored the enduring necessity of upholding air defence coverage across the entire nation, designating it as a pivotal undertaking of the Air Force. He acknowledged the commendable service of vintage equipment, high-power radar, and long-range radars throughout the years, yet underscored the present need to modernize with new technologies and elevate the quality of radars. The imminent partnership with L&T will facilitate the integration of groundbreaking ground-based hyper radars.

During the course of his visit, Chaudhary was briefed on the AI initiatives by the 12 Base Repair Depot for training Agniveers, lending context to his discourse. He expounded that the new radars will address existing gaps in certain areas of the air defence network and bolster the overall air defence capabilities of the country.

Addressing the closed-in weapon system, Chaudhary accentuated its significance in establishing a broader link within the air defence network to counter the diverse spectrum of threats confronted by the Air Force, spanning from small drones to hypersonic weapons. He also outlined the inking of a contract for 61 flights of this closed-in weapon system.

The Defence Expo in Pune not only showcased the Made in India Samar-II and Akash surface-to-air weapon systems of the Indian Air Force, but also spotlighted the Samar-II system, fabricated utilising the R-27 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, possessing the capability to intercept targets at extended ranges in comparison to its antecedent, the Samar-I air defence missile system.

Moreover, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) unveiled an array of rockets for the Pinaaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system at the Expo, encompassing guided, extended-range, and Pinaka-Mark 1 rockets.

Chaudhary’s strong emphasis on the imperative for modernization and the impending collaboration with L&T underscores the unwavering commitment of the Indian Air Force to remain at the vanguard of technological advancements in order to ensure robust and effective air defence capabilities for the nation. the Indian Air Force’s focus on these developments epitomizes its unswerving dedication to enhancing national security and safeguarding the skies. Continue to monitor The Economic Times for further updates on the latest developments within the Indian Air Force.