After Operation Sindoor: Indian Army Fast-Tracks Radar Upgrades to Shield Borders from Drone Swarms

Why in News

The Indian Army has kicked off urgent procurement of advanced radars to strengthen its air defence against low-flying drones and swarms, learning key lessons from Operation Sindoor in May 2025. During this short border clash with Pakistan, hundreds of enemy drones slipped through older detection systems, pushing the Army to issue Requests for Information for up to 45 enhanced low-level radars and 48 fire control systems. This move aims to plug gaps along northern and western borders, boosting overall readiness in a time of rising aerial threats from neighbors.

Key Points

1. Operation Sindoor in May 2025 saw Pakistani drones breach Indian airspace for surveillance and strikes, exposing limits of existing radars against small, low-radar-cross-section targets.
2. The Army is seeking up to 45 Low Level Light Weight Radars (Enhanced) to detect and track drone swarms up to 50 km away, even in tough terrains like mountains and deserts.
3. Up to 48 Air Defence Fire Control Radar-Drone Detectors will help classify threats, guide guns like L/70, and share data with short-range missiles for quick takedowns.
4. An additional 10 Low Level Light Weight Radars (Improved) are planned, featuring 3D scanning to handle over 100 targets at once with day-night electro-optical tracking.
5. These radars will link into the Akashteer network for real-time threat sharing across command centers, radars, and guns, improving response times.
6. The push follows Defence Acquisition Council nods for Rs 67,000 crore in deals, including mountain radars, as part of broader air defence upgrades.
7. DRDO's recent tests of an Integrated Air Defence Weapon System under Mission Sudarshan Chakra add high-tech layers like AI for better drone hunting.
8. Experts say this could cut detection gaps by 70%, saving lives and assets while aligning with India's goal of self-reliant defence tech by 2047.

Explained

What was Operation Sindoor and its lessons for drone defence?

Operation Sindoor was a quick three-day border operation in May 2025 where Pakistan sent waves of cheap drones to scout and attack Indian positions, forcing the Army to rethink its sky shields.

Historical Context:

It marked the first big test of drone swarms in India-Pakistan tensions since the 2019 Balakot strikes, with over 200 UAVs crossing lines, much like how groups such as Hamas used similar tactics against Israel in 2023.

Key Threats Faced:

These drones had tiny radar footprints, flew low to dodge scans, and came in groups to overload systems, leading to some breaches despite successes with guns like Schilka and smart ammo.

Impact on Policy:

The clash showed a need for radars that spot friend from foe in busy skies, sparking RFIs just months later to avoid repeats and match global shifts toward cheap aerial warfare.

Why is the Army rushing to upgrade its radars now?

The radar push comes from real battlefield gaps in Operation Sindoor, where old gear missed small drones, urging faster buys to guard key borders against surprise attacks.

Urgency Factors:

With Pakistan and China ramping up drone fleets—Pakistan got 100+ from Turkey in 2024—India faces daily incursions, up 50% since 2023, making quick detection vital for troops.

Procurement Timeline:

RFIs went out in August 2025, with trials set for early 2026 on a no-cost basis; full rollout could cover 70% of vulnerable spots by 2027 if vendors meet specs.

Broader Security Needs:

This fits PM Modi's call for agile forces, cutting import reliance as 60% of current radars are foreign, and saving Rs 5,000 crore yearly through local makes.

What are the key features of the new radars being procured?

These upgraded radars pack smart tech to hunt tiny drones in any weather or terrain, turning border patrols into high-tech watchtowers with shared intel.

Low Level Light Weight Radars (Enhanced):

They use active scanned arrays for 50 km scans, track 100+ targets, add night-vision optics, and beam data 10 km to guns, ideal for high-altitude posts like Ladakh.

Air Defence Fire Control Radar-Drone Detectors:

Mounted on one vehicle, they mix search, track, and friend-foe checks to guide two guns at once, working in jammed signals and feeding short-range missiles for swarm busts.

Improved Variants:

The 10 extra units add digital beams for clutter-free views, boosting hit rates by 40% over 1990s models still in use along the Line of Control.

How will these radars fit into India's bigger air defence setup?

The new gear will plug into networks like Akashteer for seamless ops, linking Army radars with IAF missiles to create a wall against aerial intruders.

Integration Details:

Akashteer fuses data from sensors and guns into one live map for commanders, while DRDO's Sudarshan Chakra tests add AI to predict drone paths, tested last month.

Existing Layers:

IAF handles high threats with S-400s and Akash missiles that shone in Sindoor, downing 80% of incursions; Army focuses low-level, covering the last 5 km gap.

Future Expansions:

DAC cleared Rs 67,000 crore for extras like mountain radars in August 2025, aiming for 90% indigenous content by 2030 to match China's layered shields.

What could this mean for India's border security and global standing?

Stronger radars promise fewer surprises on edges with rivals, freeing troops for core fights and showcasing home-grown tech on world stages.

Operational Gains:

They could slash breach risks by 70%, protect Rs 10 lakh crore assets yearly, and cut reaction times to seconds, vital as drone markets hit $20 billion globally by 2028.

Economic Angle:

Local firms like Bharat Electronics lead bids, creating 5,000 jobs and exporting know-how, aligning with Atmanirbhar in defence where imports fell 20% since 2020.

Strategic View:

It boosts QUAD ties with shared drone drills and counters Pakistan's Turkish buys, positioning India as a South Asia shield while pushing UN talks on drone rules.

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