Indian Army Issue RFI of GaN-Based 3D AESA Radars for Counter-Drone Operations

The Indian Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for up to 45 GaN-based 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Low Level Lightweight Radars (LLLWR). These next-generation radars are intended to be mounted on 4x4 light vehicles, enhancing the Army’s rapid deployment abilities in forward and high-altitude areas.

The radars will be a significant upgrade over existing systems, incorporating Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology. GaN enables superior power efficiency, thermal performance, and electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) resilience—critical features for operations in complex electronic warfare environments.

According to the RFI, these radars must offer 360-degree 3D surveillance, capable of detecting and tracking small, low-flying aerial threats, including micro and mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. The requirement emphasizes swift deployability and high mobility, with the systems expected to function effectively even in mountainous terrain at elevations up to 5,000–6,000 meters.

Each radar system should be capable of detecting multiple aerial targets with small radar cross-sections, such as drones with an RCS as low as 0.001 m², at ranges up to 50 kilometers. The radars are also expected to provide data to higher command centers using secure communication links, and interface seamlessly with the Army's Akashteer air defence command and control system, developed by BEL.

One of the key demands is for the system to track at least 20 targets simultaneously while remaining resistant to jamming and hostile electronic interference. The radar must also have Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) modes and built-in software-defined capabilities to allow for future upgrades.

The Indian Army’s focus on GaN-AESA radar technology reflects a broader shift in military radar systems, as older mechanically scanned radars are increasingly replaced by electronically steered arrays that can operate in multiple modes, require less maintenance, and react faster to threats.

The radars will form a critical layer in India's expanding Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) architecture. They will be integrated with other indigenous solutions such as Bhargavastra, a micro-missile-based hard-kill anti-drone system, and passive sensors designed to detect radio-frequency emissions from hostile drones.

This RFI is being pursued under the "Buy (Indian)" category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, aimed at promoting self-reliance under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Likely contenders for the radar development and supply include Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), along with private Indian defence firms possessing radar integration capabilities.

Defence analysts suggest that once the RFI process concludes, a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) could follow by early 2026, with field deployment expected to begin within the next 18–24 months.

With the increasing frequency of drone incursions along India’s borders and the proliferation of small UAVs in asymmetric warfare, the Indian Army’s move to induct mobile, high-performance 3D AESA radars marks a proactive step in strengthening its air defence grid.