India’s Homegrown HAWK I-900 Radar Emerges as a Critical Lifeline for MiG-29K Naval Fighter Due to Russian Zhuk-ME Failures

India’s carrier-borne MiG-29K fighters, the mainstay of the Indian Navy’s air wing, have long faced issues with the Russian Zhuk-ME radar, which serves as their primary fire-control sensor. Persistent reliability problems, frequent breakdowns, and inconsistent performance have raised operational concerns, prompting India to look toward a homegrown alternative. The indigenous HAWK I-900 radar has now emerged as a strong candidate to replace the troubled Zhuk-ME system, offering a modern, more reliable, and locally supported solution.

Problems with the Zhuk-ME Radar

The Zhuk-ME radar, designed by Russia’s Phazotron-NIIR, was originally chosen to equip India’s MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB aircraft delivered under naval contracts signed in the mid-2000s. However, operational experience revealed several shortcomings.
The radar’s mean time between failures (MTBF) was significantly lower than expected, causing repeated service interruptions and heavy maintenance loads. The Indian Navy faced difficulties in obtaining timely spares from Russia, further compounded by global supply disruptions and sanctions on Russian defense industries.

In addition to reliability issues, there were performance inconsistencies in detection and tracking, especially in maritime conditions where salt exposure and humidity are constant factors. Reports also indicated that the Zhuk-ME failed to deliver its advertised range and target-tracking performance. These challenges forced the Navy to ground several MiG-29Ks at various times, reducing the combat readiness of its carrier air group.

With a limited fleet and high dependence on operational availability, the Indian Navy began exploring an indigenous radar upgrade that could reduce dependence on imported systems and deliver more consistent performance.

Development of the HAWK I-900 Radar

The HAWK I-900 is part of the HAWK series of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars developed indigenously by Indian defense electronics firms, primarily Data Patterns (India) Ltd. The HAWK family was designed to meet India’s growing demand for advanced radar systems across land, air, and naval platforms.

The HAWK I-900 is a compact AESA radar, optimized for fighter aircraft where space, weight, and cooling are critical constraints. It builds upon India’s previous radar development experience, such as the Uttam AESA radar designed by DRDO for the Tejas Mk1A and Mk2 fighters.

Unlike mechanically scanned radars like the Zhuk-ME, which rely on moving antenna parts, the HAWK I-900 employs solid-state, electronically steered transmit/receive modules (TRMs) made with Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. This gives it higher efficiency, lower heat generation, and greater resistance to component wear, leading to significantly improved reliability and operational life.

Technical Specifications of the HAWK I-900

While full technical details are classified, open-source and exhibition data provide a reliable overview of the radar’s design and performance features:

• Type: X-band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar

• Technology: GaN-based Transmit/Receive Modules

• Antenna Elements: Approximately 900 TRMs (hence the model designation I-900)

• Detection Range: Around 150 km for fighter-sized targets (estimated)

• Tracking Capability: Simultaneous tracking of 20 or more aerial targets

• Operating Modes: Air-to-air, air-to-surface, and maritime surveillance

• Features: Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) modes, frequency agility, electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM)

• Weight: Under 120 kg (compact design suitable for medium fighters)

• Cooling: Liquid-cooled AESA array with built-in diagnostics and modular maintenance architecture

The radar’s modular structure allows for quick replacement of faulty TRMs, reducing downtime and maintenance effort. GaN-based TRMs provide higher power density and efficiency compared to older Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) designs, giving the radar both range and durability advantages.

Why the HAWK I-900 is a Suitable Replacement

The HAWK I-900 directly addresses the main shortcomings of the Zhuk-ME radar. Its solid-state architecture ensures better reliability, with far fewer moving parts and reduced risk of mechanical failure. Being locally developed and manufactured, it offers independent logistics and supply support, eliminating dependence on Russian OEMs and reducing operational bottlenecks.

The radar’s advanced signal processing and multi-target tracking capability make it far more effective in modern air combat scenarios, where situational awareness and reaction speed are critical. Its LPI and ECCM features also enhance survivability against electronic warfare threats, a vital factor for operations at sea.

Moreover, since the radar is Indian-made, it can be customized and updated to meet specific Navy requirements. Integration with indigenous mission computers and weapon systems, including future beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, would be easier compared to a foreign-origin radar.

Integration and Challenges

Replacing a radar in an operational fighter is a complex task. The HAWK I-900 will need to be physically integrated into the MiG-29K’s nose structure, which involves adjustments to cooling systems, power supplies, and avionics interfaces. Compatibility with the existing Russian mission computer and weapons suite will require detailed software integration and flight testing.

Furthermore, the radar must undergo naval environmental qualification, including tests for salt corrosion, humidity, shock, and vibration. Only after successful flight and carrier deck trials can the radar be considered ready for full operational deployment.

To manage these challenges, India may start with a prototype installation on one or two MiG-29Ks for ground and flight testing before authorizing a full fleet retrofit. This stepwise approach would reduce risk and allow time for software and integration refinements.

Significance

The emergence of the HAWK I-900 underscores India’s progress in advanced radar technology and defense self-reliance. If successfully integrated, it will not only enhance the MiG-29K’s operational reliability but also mark an important step in reducing India’s long-term dependence on imported avionics.

The radar’s compact, modular design also opens the possibility of its use in other platforms — including future carrier-based fighters, unmanned combat aircraft, and coastal surveillance systems.

The transition from the Russian Zhuk-ME to India’s HAWK I-900 represents more than just a radar upgrade — it reflects a shift toward indigenous sustainment and long-term self-sufficiency in critical avionics. The MiG-29K fleet, long hindered by maintenance and performance issues, may soon benefit from a reliable, high-performance radar built entirely in India. The path ahead involves careful integration and testing, but the technological and strategic payoff is significant for India’s naval aviation future.