India Counters Pakistan’s Stealth Fighter Threat with Indigenous VHF Anti-Stealth Radar Strategy

Amid growing reports that Pakistan is planning to acquire the Chinese-made J-35A stealth fighter jet, India has chosen a smarter, cost-effective, and practical path to secure its skies. Rather than rushing to buy expensive fifth-generation stealth fighters from abroad, India is investing in indigenous systems designed to detect and counter stealth aircraft early and effectively.

At the heart of this new defence approach is a cutting-edge Very High Frequency (VHF) Anti-Stealth Radar system, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad. Mounted on a rugged TATA 6x6 High Mobility Vehicle, this advanced radar system is built specifically to tackle one of the biggest advantages of fifth-generation fighter jets — their ability to avoid detection by traditional radars.

Why VHF Radar Works Against Stealth Aircraft

Modern stealth aircraft like the J-35A, American F-35, or Russian Su-57 use special shapes and radar-absorbing materials to reduce their radar cross-section, making them difficult to track using standard S-band, X-band, or Ku-band radars. However, these stealth features are much less effective against radars operating in the VHF (Very High Frequency) band.

VHF radars use longer wavelengths, which tend to "see through" stealth features that are optimised for shorter wavelength radars. As a result, VHF systems can detect stealth aircraft at longer ranges, providing valuable early warning well before they can strike.

VHF Anti-Stealth Radar: Key Specifications

While the complete technical details of India’s indigenous VHF radar remain classified, some information available through open sources suggests the following:

• Operating Band: Very High Frequency (VHF)

• Detection Range: Over 100 nautical miles (approximately 185 kilometres)

• Mobility: Mounted on two TATRA 6x6 high mobility vehicles

• Operational Use: Early detection and tracking of stealth and conventional aerial threats

• Deployment Speed: Quick setup and redeployment to different locations as needed

• Integration Capabilities: Can feed tracking data to other systems like AESA radars and IRST (Infrared Search and Track) for multi-layered defence

This mobility ensures the radar can be rapidly repositioned in response to operational requirements, enhancing survivability in combat scenarios.

The Pakistan J-35A Threat

The J-35A, also known as FC-31, is China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet being developed for aircraft carriers and foreign buyers. With features like reduced radar reflection, internal weapons bays, advanced avionics, and electronic warfare systems, it marks a significant technological leap for any air force.

If Pakistan inducts the J-35A into its fleet — as reports from early 2024 suggest their Air Chief has shown keen interest — it would be the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) first stealth aircraft. This could potentially reduce India’s existing air superiority, especially in contested regions like Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

India’s Cost-Effective, Smart Countermeasure

Instead of investing billions of dollars in a limited number of imported stealth fighters, India is focusing on broadening its surveillance and air defence capabilities. The VHF Anti-Stealth Radar provides an essential early warning capability that can detect stealth aircraft before they reach weapon release range.

This data can then be combined with information from:

• AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) Radars: For precise targeting and better resistance to jamming.

• IRST (Infrared Search and Track) Systems: For passive detection of aircraft by tracking their heat signatures.

Together, these systems create a multi-layered, overlapping air defence network designed to detect, track, and intercept stealth threats like the J-35A.

Supporting India’s AMCA Program

These indigenous radars will also play a crucial role in supporting India’s upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project — the country’s own fifth-generation stealth fighter program. The radars will form an essential component of the integrated air defence system intended to protect India’s skies in the next decade.

A Strategic Shift in Modern Air Defence

India’s pivot from focusing solely on acquiring stealth fighters to building an advanced sensor and early warning network reflects a broader global military trend. With stealth technology becoming more accessible, the key to maintaining an air defence advantage lies not just in matching enemy capabilities but in neutralising them smartly.

The DRDO-BEL VHF Anti-Stealth Radar is a cost-effective, technologically sound, and highly mobile solution that strengthens India’s ability to detect and respond to potential airborne threats. It ensures that even as Pakistan moves closer to acquiring fifth-generation aircraft, India’s skies remain secure and well-guarded.

In short, India is not chasing the stealth race — it’s outsmarting it.