India has made history with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiling India’s first indigenous photonic radar. This groundbreaking technology promises to give India a decisive edge in tracking stealth aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and low-RCS drones that conventional radar systems struggle to detect.
If you’re searching for a clear, detailed understanding of DRDO’s photonic radar technology, how it compares globally, and why it’s such a game-changer for Indian defence, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down everything you need to know about this advanced indigenous radar system and its future potential.
What Is Photonic Radar and Why Is It Important for India?
1. How Does Photonic Radar Work?
Photonic radar utilises light-based components, including lasers and photonic integrated circuits (PICs), to generate, transmit, and process radar signals. Unlike traditional RF radar, it relies on optical signals, allowing ultra-wide bandwidth, ultra-high resolution, and natural immunity to electronic jamming.
2. Why Is DRDO’s Photonic Radar a Game-Changer for India?
The DRDO photonic radar aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, cutting dependence on imported radar technologies. Developed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), this radar will strengthen India’s air defence against modern aerial threats like stealth jets and hypersonic weapons.
What Are the Key Features of DRDO’s Photonic Radar
1. How Does DRDO’s Radar Achieve Ultra-Wideband Detection?
The radar operates on a bandwidth of around 11 GHz, centred at ~34 GHz. This wide bandwidth enables it to detect stealth aircraft and drones that evade traditional RF radars.
2. What Makes Its Resolution Exceptional?
DRDO’s radar delivers a resolution of approximately 1.3 cm. This means it can image small drone components (as small as 3 × 4 cm) and even capture rotating parts like propellers or blades.
3. How Does It Resist Electronic Jamming?
Its reliance on optical signal processing makes the radar naturally resistant to electronic jamming or deception, a capability increasingly crucial in future electronic warfare.
4. Why Is Its Compact Design Ideal for India’s Defence Platforms?
The radar’s low power consumption and compact build make it ideal for integration on platforms like the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas, Akashteer air defence, mobile air-defence batteries, and naval ships.
DRDO Photonic Radar: Trials and Deployment Timeline
1. Where Will the Radar Be Tested in India?
DRDO plans to begin extensive trials in late 2025, focusing on:
- Detecting stealth aircraft and low-RCS drones
- Tracking hypersonic missiles
- Conducting surveillance in coastal regions and high-altitude zones
- Real-world testing near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC)
2. What Is the Roadmap for Deployment?
The radar will undergo lab validation, limited user trials, platform integration tests, and final operational evaluation before induction into India’s air defence network.
How Does DRDO’s Photonic Radar Compare to Global Programs?
1. How Does It Compare to the US Photonic Radar Programs?
The US is developing photonic radar through DARPA’s LEAPS and Raytheon’s SIGINT projects. These systems target space and hypersonic tracking at 100 GHz+ frequency bands for sub–mm resolution. However, they are not as compact or versatile for fighter aircraft integration.
2. How Does It Stack Up Against South Korea’s AI-Powered Radar?
South Korea’s ADD showcased an AI-powered photonic radar in 2025, demonstrating real-world small drone detection. Their focus is more on urban air defence.
3. Is China Ahead in Photonic Radar Technology?
Chinese programs claim simulation-based hypersonic missile tracking at ranges up to 600 km, but no field-deployed system is confirmed.
4. What Is Israel’s Status in Photonic Radar Development?
Israel leads in AESA radar (e.g. Iron Dome’s ELM-2084) and is exploring photonic radar but hasn’t publicly trialled it yet.
5. What Makes India’s Photonic Radar Stand Out Globally?
What makes India’s photonic radar unique is its readiness for field trials, versatility across different platforms, and completely indigenous design with no dependence on foreign components.
Strategic Significance for India’s Defence
The DRDO photonic radar is more than just a technological upgrade — it represents a vital leap in India’s defence strategy at a time when aerial threats are becoming faster, stealthier, and harder to track.
1. How Will It Strengthen National Security?
By enabling precise detection of stealth aircraft, low-RCS drones, and hypersonic missiles, this radar fills a critical gap in India’s air defence network. It enhances India’s ability to monitor and respond to threats along sensitive borders like the LAC and LoC, and in strategic regions such as the Indian Ocean.
2. How Does It Advance Aatmanirbhar Bharat?
As a fully indigenous radar system, it reduces India’s dependence on imported technology for vital defence needs. The project strengthens India’s position as a defence technology innovator and supports the domestic manufacturing ecosystem, including photonics and semiconductor sectors.
3. Why Is It Future-Ready for Modern Warfare?
India’s photonic radar is designed to meet the demands of future warfare, where stealth, hypersonic threats, and electronic attacks will define combat. Its anti-jamming capability and multi-domain adaptability make it a key component of India’s long-term defence modernisation plans.
What Are the Challenges and Next Steps?
1. What Challenges Need to Be Overcome?
While the DRDO photonic radar is a breakthrough, a few challenges remain before it can be widely deployed:
- Scaling up indigenous photonic chip production
India needs to build up its capacity to mass-produce photonic integrated circuits. Strengthening local manufacturing will ensure cost control and reduce import reliance. - Integration with legacy platforms
Adapting the radar to work seamlessly with existing aircraft, naval ships, and air defence systems will require careful testing and custom interfaces. - Miniaturisation for broader deployment
To fit on smaller platforms like UAVs or mobile air defence units, the radar will need to be made even more compact without losing capability.
2. How Is DRDO Addressing These Challenges?
DRDO, with support from the Technology Development Fund (TDF) and industry partners, is already working to address these challenges. With sustained focus, the photonic radar could move from prototype to frontline use within the next few years.
Civilian and Dual-Use Potential
The technology behind India’s first photonic radar could also serve civilian needs:
- Disaster response: How it can aid search and rescue
It can help rescuers detect heartbeats or breathing of survivors trapped under debris, speeding up search efforts after disasters. - Medical monitoring: Future non-contact health tracking
Photonic sensors could one day be part of wearable devices or hospital systems to track vital signs without physical contact. - Smart devices: Enabling gesture control and touchless tech
The fine-motion sensing ability could enable gesture controls in future smartphones, home devices, and cars, making touchless operation a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions About DRDO’s Photonic Radar
- What makes DRDO’s photonic radar better than AESA radar?
Ans: With broader bandwidth, higher resolution, and robust anti-jamming features, DRDO’s radar excels at detecting stealth targets. - When will India’s photonic radar enter service?
Ans: Field trials start in late 2025. Operational induction depends on successful trials, integration, and production readiness, likely within 2–3 years. - Can photonic radar detect hypersonic missiles?
Ans: Yes, it’s designed with ultra-wide bandwidth and fine resolution to follow fast-moving, low-signature hypersonic threats.
Final Thoughts on DRDO’s Photonic Radar
The DRDO photonic radar represents a new era in Indian defence technology. With unmatched stealth detection, resistance to electronic attack, and flexible deployment options, it positions India as a leader in next-generation radar systems.
Stay tuned to DefenceNewsIndia for detailed updates on trials, integration, and future deployments of DRDO’s photonic radar. Follow us for more on India’s defence innovations!