The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is accelerating work on the indigenous Virupaksha radar, a key sensor that lies at the heart of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) ambitious ‘Super-30’ modernisation programme. The effort is aimed at significantly enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Su-30MKI fleet, particularly against the rising presence of stealth fighters across the Asian region.
Virupaksha is an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar being developed using Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, a major technological leap over legacy systems. According to defence sources, the production-standard variant is expected to feature more than 2,400 Transmit-Receive Modules (TRMs), placing it among the most powerful fighter-mounted radars in its class. This dense TRM configuration is designed to deliver high output power, improved sensitivity, and enhanced reliability under demanding operational conditions.
The transition from older Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) technology to GaN is central to Virupaksha’s performance gains. GaN-based radars offer significantly higher power efficiency and superior thermal management, enabling sustained high-energy emissions without performance degradation. These attributes allow the radar to generate sharper beams and maintain persistent tracking, even against targets with extremely low radar signatures.
For the Su-30MKI fleet, this represents a transformative improvement over the existing passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radars. AESA architecture provides faster beam steering, near-instantaneous target switching, and far greater resistance to electronic countermeasures. In modern high-density electromagnetic environments, these features are critical for survivability and situational awareness.
A key benchmark for the Virupaksha programme is its ability to detect stealth aircraft at ranges beyond 200 kilometres. The radar is being optimised to identify targets with a radar cross-section (RCS) as low as 0.01 square metres from a safe standoff distance. This capability directly challenges the “first look, first kill” doctrine traditionally associated with fifth-generation fighters, which rely on remaining undetected until they enter an adversary’s 80–100 km engagement envelope.
DRDO engineers are currently refining advanced signal-processing algorithms that can isolate the faint radar returns of Very Low Observable (VLO) aircraft from background clutter and electronic noise. The focus is on ensuring reliable detection even when stealth fighters are flying in “clean” configurations, without external stores that would otherwise increase their radar signature.
The strategic importance of this capability is underscored by regional developments. China has already inducted the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter in growing numbers, while Pakistan is expected to acquire the J-35A, a derivative of the FC-31 programme, in the coming decade. Against this backdrop, the IAF views Virupaksha as a crucial counter-stealth solution that can restore balance in long-range air combat.
By detecting stealth threats at extended ranges, an upgraded Su-30MKI equipped with Virupaksha would be able to employ long-range air-to-air weapons such as the indigenous Astra MkII and the future Astra MkIII before an adversary can effectively respond. This capability significantly erodes the first-shot advantage normally enjoyed by stealth platforms.
The radar’s integration is part of the wider Super-30 upgrade, which aims to transform the Su-30MKI into a high-capability, future-ready fighter. The programme includes indigenous mission computers, new avionics, and a modern electronic warfare suite, ensuring the aircraft remains a central pillar of India’s air defence architecture well into the 2050s.
