The Indian Air Force continues its Su-30MKI upgrade program with the Virupaksha AESA radar. Bids for Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) selection have been extended once more.
The revised schedule states the clarification end date as 06 October 2025, the due date as 07 October 2025, and the opening date as 08 October 2025. This marks the third extension in the DcPP process. Each delay directly impacts program timelines and threatens overall upgrade schedules.
Virupaksha AESA Radar and Indigenous DcPP Selection
The Virupaksha AESA radar integrates Gallium Nitride (GaN) modules to deliver enhanced performance over legacy mechanically scanned arrays. The design features nearly 2600 Transmit/Receive Modules (TRM). These TRMs enable higher peak power, improved beam agility, superior resolution, and optimized electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM).
Compared to earlier radars, Virupaksha ensures reduced thermal footprint, lower weight, optimized power consumption, and enhanced cooling efficiency. These traits increase reliability and mission availability while extending Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).
Four Indian companies have cleared the technical evaluation phase:
- Astra Microwave Products Limited
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- ICOMM Tele Limited
- Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T)
The Ministry of Defence initially released an Expression of Interest (EoI) to identify qualified vendors. Selected DcPPs will absorb radar technology, refine designs, and produce systems for fleet-wide deployment. Final contracts will be awarded under the lowest-cost technically acceptable bid.
Radar Integration and Testing Roadmap
The radar integration will occur at HAL’s Aircraft Upgrade and Repair Division Complex (AURDC), Nasik. Engineers will begin with Line Replaceable Units (LRU) fitment on Su-30MKI airframes. Ground testing and initial shake-down trials will follow under IAF oversight.
Subsequent functional trials will occur across multiple environments. These include coastal zones, hilly terrain, low-temperature sectors, and high-temperature regions. This approach ensures robust validation across operational envelopes.
Flight testing will be conducted by the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), IAF. Engineers estimate 200 sorties for validating radar and Identification Friend or Foe Combined Interrogator Transponder (IFF CIT) systems. These sorties will stress-test all operational modes, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and maritime surveillance.
Strategic Importance and Timeline Pressures
The IAF operates approximately 270 Su-30MKI fighters. Each aircraft requires rapid modernization to maintain combat superiority. Consequently, delays in DcPP selection hinder frontline readiness.
The DcPP contract specifies a 40-month development cycle from contract release. Continuous extensions threaten to compress critical milestones such as subsystem validation, software integration, and serial production.
For India’s aerospace ecosystem, Virupaksha represents more than a radar program. It demonstrates technological sovereignty in GaN-based AESA design, indigenous manufacturing scalability, and system integration competence. Expedited execution remains essential for strategic parity and operational advantage.