New Delhi, Aug 06: The Indian Air Force today got an
indigenously-developed advanced radar system that can track
missiles and fighter jets travelling at supersonic speed of
over 3000 km per hour.
India's largest defence electronics company Bharat
Electronics Limited today handed over the first of a
three-dimensional radar to IAF, fulfilling a long-standing
requirement of the force for surveillance operations.
Operating in a range of upto 170 kilometres and at an
altitude of 15 kilometres, the radar can track multiple
targets like fighter jets and missiles travelling at
supersonic speeds of over 3,000 kms per hour.
The multifunction medium range surveillance radar
"Rohini" has been developed by the DRDO's Electronics and
Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) and engineered and
produced by BEL.
BEL Chairman-and-Managing Director V V R Sastry handed
over a ceremonial key to the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief
Marshal Fali Homi Major at a function in Ghaziabad marking its
induction into the IAF.
Speaking on the occasion Air Chief Marshal Major said the
radar would grant the IAF better air surveillance capability,
particularly at low altitudes.
"IAF is immensely satisfied with the radar. We carried out
extensive trials and it has met all our requirements. It has
scope for further exploitation which our scientists and IAF
teams will sit down and do it," he told reporters.
Sastry said the army has conducted successful trials of a
Rohini variant for detecting and tracking missiles. Another
variant, 'Revathi', is being developed for the Navy, he added.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, August 06, 2008, 00:00