Hyderabad-based Astra Rafael Comsys Completes User Trials for BNET‑MANAS SDR for Indian Army

Hyderabad-based Astra Rafael Comsys Pvt. Ltd. (ARC), a joint venture between India’s Astra Microwave Products Ltd. (AMPL) and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, has successfully completed user trials of its BNET‑MANAS V/UHF Software‑Defined Radio (SDR) for the Indian Army, under the Ministry of Defence’s Make‑II initiative .

Key Technical and Strategic Highlights

• Development and Specifications

• The BNET‑MANAS Manpack SDR, part of ARC’s broader BNET family, was developed from scratch according to stringent Indian Army requirements .

• ARC markets the BNET architecture as enabling digitized battlefield connectivity, featuring ultra‑wideband data, low latency, and high data integrity and availability, which together support seamless force‑level communication without relay dependencies .

• User Trial Phases

The trials were conducted in three distinct phases to validate the SDR’s operational capabilities across environments:

1. Lab Trials: Bench-level and controlled testing to benchmark performance.

2. Field Trials (HOT): Conducted in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, to assess survivability and performance under high-temperature conditions.

3. High-Altitude Trials (COLD): Held at Leh, Ladakh, to verify operation in extreme cold and high-altitude terrain .

Completion of these phases demonstrates robustness, reliability, and adaptability in operational scenarios integral to Indian defense operations.

• Strategic Context

• BNET‑MANAS is participating in the Indian Army’s strategic Make‑II program, which emphasizes indigenous design, development, and production (IDDM) by private-sector defense firms .

• This success aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self‑reliance) and Make in India initiatives, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign systems and boost local defense manufacturing .

• Implications and Outlook

• The trial results position ARC as a leading private‑sector player in India’s defense communications space, especially in SDR, electronic warfare (EW), and cognitive radio systems .

• With user trials complete, BNET‑MANAS is now moving into final evaluation phases leading up to a potential procurement contract under Make‑II.

• ARC has an existing contract to supply BNET radios (including hand‑held, man‑pack, vehicular, and airborne variants) to the Indian Air Force, further reaffirming its expanding defense footprint .

The successful completion of user trials for the BNET‑MANAS SDR marks a significant milestone in India's pursuit of indigenously developed tactical communication systems. Backed by rigorous testing in diverse climatic and geographical conditions, the BNET‑MANAS system is well-positioned for adoption by the Indian Army. The achievement bolsters ARC’s credibility as a key defense electronics provider, aligning with India’s broader goals of self-reliance in critical defense technology.

If you’d like deeper insights into BNET architecture, ARC’s capabilities, or comparisons with other SDRs, I'd be happy to help!