Astra Microwave Products Ltd has secured an order worth ₹2,205.23 crore from state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of critical subsystems for the indigenous Uttam radar programme.
In an exchange filing on July 30, the Hyderabad-based company said the contract covers the procurement of 122 antenna array assembly units (AAAUs) and 121 interface frames for the Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system. The order is scheduled to be executed over a period of five years.
HAL, a defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has been spearheading the integration of the Uttam radar into India’s indigenous fighter aircraft programme. The latest order is expected to further strengthen Astra Microwave’s position as one of the country’s leading suppliers of advanced radar and electronic warfare systems.
AAAU, or antenna array assembly unit, is one of the most critical components of an AESA radar system. It houses hundreds of transmit-and-receive modules that enable the radar to electronically steer its beam without relying on moving mechanical parts. This technology allows the radar to track multiple targets simultaneously while offering greater accuracy, improved reliability and faster response times than conventional radar systems.
The Uttam radar, developed primarily by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is an indigenous AESA radar designed for fighter aircraft. The system has been developed to enhance India’s self-reliance in defence technologies and reduce dependence on imported radar systems. The radar is capable of detecting, tracking and engaging multiple aerial targets and is expected to play a major role in the operational capabilities of aircraft such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
The order is among the largest secured by Astra Microwave in recent years and reflects the increasing emphasis being placed on indigenisation within India’s defence sector. The government has been encouraging domestic companies to develop advanced technologies under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, creating significant opportunities for specialised manufacturers of electronic and radar systems.
Founded in 1991, Astra Microwave develops and manufactures a wide range of radio-frequency, microwave and electronic systems used in defence, aerospace, telecommunications and space applications.