In a recent interview with Tarmak Media House and as reported by IDRW, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of Defence Research & Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), refuted reports claiming that all 73 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets would be equipped with Israeli ELM-2052 AESA radars. Clarifying the status of radar integration in India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, Dr. Kamat stated, “No, I don’t think it’s true. Discussions are still underway, and the plan is to integrate the Uttam AESA radar starting from the 41st Tejas Mk1A jet.”
The clarification comes amid growing interest and speculation over the radar systems chosen for India’s frontline indigenous fighter. The Uttam AESA radar, developed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), is a major milestone in India’s quest for technological self-reliance. While acknowledging that the initial batches of Tejas Mk1A may use foreign radar systems to meet delivery schedules, Dr. Kamat reiterated DRDO’s goal of transitioning to the indigenous Uttam radar during the latter stages of production.
This move aligns with the Indian defence ecosystem’s broader focus on indigenization under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. The integration of the Uttam AESA radar is expected to significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Tejas Mk1A, providing advanced tracking, targeting, and electronic warfare functionalities comparable to global systems.
The final configuration of the Tejas Mk1A fleet will be shaped by ongoing technical and strategic discussions between HAL, DRDO, and the Indian Air Force. However, Dr. Kamat’s statement reinforces the intent to prioritize indigenous technology and reduce dependency on foreign vendors, marking a significant shift in India’s defence manufacturing narrative.
