Astra Microwave Wins ₹170-Crore IMD Contract to Supply Six S-Band Doppler Weather Radars

India’s meteorological radar network is set for a significant boost as Astra Microwave Products Ltd. has secured a ₹170-crore order (₹171.38 crore including GST) from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to deliver six S-band Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) systems along with critical supporting equipment. The contract includes Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), Disdrometers, a three-year warranty, and seven years of comprehensive maintenance, with the full project scheduled for completion within 18 months.

The S-band radars being supplied are high-power, long-range systems designed to track severe weather patterns including thunderstorms, cyclones, and intense rainfall. Their enhanced detection capability is expected to strengthen IMD’s forecasting accuracy, particularly during the monsoon and cyclone seasons when early alerts are essential for public safety.

This order comes at a time when Astra Microwave is rapidly expanding its presence in the country’s environmental sensing sector. The company recently confirmed that 15 Doppler Weather Radars it previously supplied to IMD are now fully operational across India, forming a key part of the national weather surveillance grid. In addition, Astra Microwave is currently developing around 20 new DWR units across multiple frequency bands, including S-band, X-band, and C-band systems, under ongoing programs to modernize India’s meteorological infrastructure.

The Hyderabad-based manufacturer has also emerged as one of the few Indian companies capable of delivering indigenously designed weather radar systems, aligning with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat push to reduce dependence on foreign radar technology. Its portfolio includes not only DWRs but also Wind Profilers, AWS networks, and integrated hydro-meteorological monitoring systems, which have become increasingly important amid rising extreme-weather events.

Industry analysts noted that the latest IMD contract strengthens Astra Microwave’s already robust order book, enhancing revenue visibility for the company over the coming financial years. The deal is also expected to accelerate India’s broader initiative to expand radar coverage nationwide, closing gaps in regions that remain underserved during high-impact weather.

With the six new S-band radars set to join IMD’s growing network, the project marks another step forward in India’s efforts to build a resilient, technologically advanced weather-forecasting ecosystem capable of meeting the challenges of a changing climate.