Astra Microwave Secures ₹2,205 Crore HAL Order for Key Components of Uttam AESA Radar
In a significant development for India’s indigenous defence electronics ecosystem, Astra Microwave Products Limited (AMPL) has secured a major contract worth ₹2,205.23 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The order covers the supply of 122 Airborne Active Antenna Units (AAAU) and 121 Interface Frames for the indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar.
The contract marks one of the largest production orders associated with the Uttam radar programme and reflects the transition of the system from development to large-scale manufacturing. The Uttam AESA radar has been developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a laboratory under DRDO, to equip India’s fighter aircraft with a modern, indigenous fire-control radar.
The Airborne Active Antenna Unit is the heart of the AESA radar, housing the transmit/receive (T/R) modules that electronically steer the radar beam without relying on mechanical movement. This enables the radar to track multiple aerial targets simultaneously, engage threats more effectively, and operate with greater reliability than conventional mechanically scanned radars. The Interface Frame, meanwhile, forms an essential structural and electronic interface, integrating the antenna assembly with the aircraft’s radar system.
The scale of the order indicates that HAL is preparing for sustained production of aircraft equipped with the Uttam AESA radar. The radar is expected to become a key sensor for the Tejas Mk1A, while its architecture is also being considered for future Indian combat aircraft programmes with suitable modifications.
For Astra Microwave Products, the contract represents a major boost to its defence manufacturing portfolio. The company has been a long-standing supplier of advanced microwave, RF, and radar subsystems for several strategic Indian defence programmes. This latest order further strengthens the role of Indian private industry in the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The development also aligns with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment by expanding indigenous design, development, and production capabilities. With the Uttam AESA radar entering full-scale production, India moves another step closer to achieving self-reliance in one of the most critical technologies used in modern air combat.
As production gathers pace, the programme is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force while strengthening the domestic supply chain for advanced defence electronics.
