Astra Microwave Advances Indigenous Virupaksha Radar Programme with Prototype Hardware Delivery to DRDO

Indian defence electronics manufacturer Astra Microwave Products Limited has confirmed the delivery of hardware for the first prototype radar associated with the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI modernisation programme to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The development marks an important milestone in India’s efforts to develop indigenous advanced radar technology for its frontline fighter aircraft.

During its second-quarter FY2026–27 earnings conference call on November 13, 2026, Astra Microwave Managing Director Dr. M. V. Reddy confirmed that the company had delivered the first radar prototype hardware to DRDO and that firmware and software integration activities were underway. The company also reported continued progress in its participation in radar and electronic warfare programmes associated with the Su-30MKI upgrade.

The development is associated with DRDO’s indigenous Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar programme, which is intended to modernise the radar capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter fleet.

Astra Microwave Confirms Prototype Hardware Delivery

Addressing investors during the company’s latest earnings conference call, Dr. Reddy confirmed that Astra Microwave had supplied hardware for the first radar prototype to DRDO. He stated that the hardware delivery had been completed and that the subsequent firmware and software integration process was progressing.

The company indicated that its participation in the Su-30MKI modernisation programme covers both radar development and electronic warfare systems. Astra Microwave is working with DRDO on these programmes as part of India’s efforts to develop advanced indigenous avionics and electronic systems for existing combat aircraft.

The delivery of prototype radar hardware represents a significant development milestone because it allows DRDO to advance the integration of physical radar components with the software and electronic systems required for further testing.

Astra Microwave’s management also expressed confidence in the progress of the programme, indicating that DRDO could move towards commissioning the radar prototype during 2027. This remains a projected development milestone rather than confirmation of completed radar integration or qualification.

Virupaksha AESA Radar for Su-30MKI Modernisation

The Virupaksha radar is an indigenous AESA radar being developed by DRDO for the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The programme is intended to replace the existing Russian-origin N011M Bars passive electronically scanned array radar with a more advanced indigenous system.

DRDO showcased the Virupaksha radar during Aero India 2025, highlighting the development of an advanced airborne radar incorporating modern electronic scanning capabilities.

Unlike conventional mechanically scanned radar systems, AESA radars use numerous individual transmit-receive modules to electronically steer radar beams. This enables rapid changes in scanning direction without relying on the mechanical movement of the antenna.

The military significance of AESA radar technology lies in its ability to support faster target detection, improved tracking performance and more flexible radar operations across complex air combat environments. Modern AESA systems can also support advanced operating modes and electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities, depending on their design and software configuration.

The Virupaksha programme forms part of India’s broader effort to strengthen the indigenous technological content of the Su-30MKI fleet through domestically developed radar, electronic warfare and avionics systems.

Gallium Nitride Technology and Indigenous Radar Development

The Virupaksha radar programme incorporates advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, which has become increasingly important in modern high-performance radar systems.

Gallium Nitride-based transmit-receive modules offer advantages in power handling, efficiency and thermal performance compared with several earlier semiconductor technologies used in radar applications. These characteristics make GaN particularly suitable for demanding military radar systems requiring high radio-frequency power and reliable operation.

Astra Microwave has established capabilities in radio-frequency and microwave technologies, including active antenna arrays, microwave components, radar subsystems and electronic warfare equipment.

The company’s involvement in the Virupaksha programme includes the development of critical radar hardware associated with the AESA antenna system. Earlier company disclosures identified the Active Antenna Array Unit as an important part of its development responsibilities.

Indigenous development of advanced radar antenna hardware and associated radio-frequency technologies is strategically important because these components form a critical part of modern airborne surveillance and fire-control systems.

The programme also provides an opportunity to strengthen domestic expertise in advanced semiconductor-based radar technologies and their integration into combat aircraft.

Firmware and Software Integration Underway

Following the delivery of the prototype hardware, DRDO and its industrial partners are progressing with firmware and software integration activities.

Modern AESA radars depend on the coordinated operation of antenna modules, signal-processing electronics, control systems and software. These elements must function together to support radar beam management, signal processing, target detection and tracking.

The integration stage is therefore an essential part of radar development, allowing engineers to validate interactions between hardware and software before the system proceeds to further qualification and evaluation.

Astra Microwave’s management confirmed that these activities were continuing following the hardware delivery. However, the company did not announce the completion of radar qualification, aircraft-level integration or operational flight testing.

The transition from prototype hardware development to system integration is an important stage in the Virupaksha programme, bringing the indigenous radar closer to subsequent testing and qualification activities.

Successful completion of the remaining development stages will depend on the results of integration, validation and testing undertaken by the relevant development agencies.

Astra Microwave Participates in Su-30MKI Electronic Warfare Upgrade

Alongside the radar programme, Astra Microwave is participating in the development of electronic warfare equipment associated with the Su-30MKI modernisation effort.

During the earnings conference call, Dr. Reddy confirmed that the company was involved in both the radar and electronic warfare programmes being undertaken with DRDO. He indicated that development activities were progressing according to the company’s current plans.

Electronic warfare equipment plays an important role in protecting military aircraft against radar-guided threats and supporting operations in contested electromagnetic environments.

Modern electronic warfare systems incorporate technologies for detecting, analysing and responding to electromagnetic signals, with capabilities varying according to their intended operational roles.

The parallel development of indigenous radar and electronic warfare technologies is important for the Su-30MKI upgrade because both capabilities contribute to the aircraft’s situational awareness, survivability and combat effectiveness.

Astra Microwave’s involvement in these programmes reflects its expanding role in India’s indigenous military electronics development ecosystem.

Astra Microwave Strengthens Indigenous Defence Electronics Capabilities

Hyderabad-based Astra Microwave Products Limited specialises in the design, development and manufacture of radio-frequency and microwave systems for defence, aerospace, space and other strategic applications.

The company supplies specialised technologies for radar systems, electronic warfare equipment, missile electronics, communications and other high-performance electronic systems.

During its latest earnings conference call, Astra Microwave highlighted its expanding participation in indigenous defence radar programmes and the growing contribution of radar and electronic warfare contracts to its business.

The company reported a consolidated order book of approximately ₹4,708 crore as of September 30, 2026, reflecting its involvement in multiple defence and strategic electronics programmes.

Astra Microwave has also secured a major contract from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for Active Antenna Array Units associated with the indigenous Uttam AESA radar programme. The Uttam programme is separate from the Virupaksha radar development effort for the Su-30MKI.

The company’s participation in both programmes demonstrates the growing role of Indian private-sector manufacturers in developing advanced radar technologies for military aviation.

Strengthening India’s Indigenous Fighter Aircraft Modernisation

The development of the Virupaksha AESA radar is an important component of India’s efforts to modernise the Su-30MKI fleet through indigenous technologies.

The Su-30MKI remains one of the principal combat aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force, performing a wide range of air superiority, interception and strike missions.

Modernisation of its radar and electronic warfare systems is intended to strengthen the aircraft’s ability to operate in increasingly complex combat environments while extending the relevance of the existing platform.

The indigenous development approach also creates opportunities for Indian research institutions and defence manufacturers to build expertise in advanced airborne radar systems, electronic processing and associated technologies.

Astra Microwave’s delivery of prototype radar hardware to DRDO represents measurable progress in India’s effort to develop advanced indigenous avionics for the Su-30MKI fleet.

With firmware and software integration continuing, the Virupaksha programme remains in the development and evaluation phase. Further milestones will depend on successful system integration, qualification and subsequent aircraft-level testing.

The latest announcement confirms the completion of a significant hardware delivery milestone while highlighting the continuing collaboration between DRDO and India’s private defence electronics industry in developing advanced technologies for the Indian Air Force.

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