Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
In the 21st century, the nature of warfare remains largely the same. Political entities still rely on force or coercion to impose their will on others, just as they have in history. However, what has changed is the character of warfare. It has been shaped by emerging warfighting domains, evolving military tactics, strong leadership, and rapid technological advances. The speed at which technology is progressing is revolutionary, and this has had a profound impact on the armed forces around the world, pushing them to incorporate these technological developments. As such, those nations capable of predicting and adapting to the changing nature of warfare most efficiently and rapidly will emerge as victors in today’s complex battlespaces.
IMPORTANCE OF AIR POWER IN MODERN WARFARE
Air power has become increasingly vital in modern warfare, offering the ability to execute rapid, precise, and decisive actions. Air superiority remains a key component for any successful military operation, allowing land and naval forces to carry out their missions without interference from enemy aircraft. Air power also brings the adaptability of individual air assets, which can perform a wide range of tasks, from providing firepower in strike missions to conducting support roles. However, with air power’s dominance comes a range of threats. These include advanced aircraft, air defence systems, hypersonic missiles, long-range radars, and more. These systems can detect, classify them as friendly or hostile, and destroy adversarial air assets. As a result, air forces today face the dual challenge of protecting their own assets while simultaneously denying control of the air to adversaries.
At the heart of modern air power are fighter aircraft. They possess the ability to dominate the skies, project power, and deliver precise strikes over long distances. These aircraft are critical for today’s military operations because they can engage a wide array of targets, including both aerial and surface-based targets. In the modern battlespace, where air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains are increasingly interconnected, the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) connects them all together. A fighter aircraft’s success on the battlefield is heavily reliant on its capabilities within the EMS, which allows for communication, navigation, surveillance, situational awareness, intercepting incoming projectiles, and guiding its own projectiles toward enemy targets.
To keep fighter aircraft operational and effective during military operations, it is essential to protect them from electromagnetic vulnerabilities, such as jamming or early detection. These aircraft must also be equipped with advanced systems to track and identify enemy air and surface targets, even in adverse weather conditions. Without control of the EMS, their effectiveness would be severely compromised, and they would struggle to meet the demands of modern warfare.
CHANGING DYNAMICS OF AIR SUPERIORITY
Historically, military attrition primarily occurred between surface forces— land and naval forces. Air forces, on the other hand, were able to bypass surface conflicts and penetrate deep into enemy territory using their inherent advantages—speed and altitude. However, air power has undergone a significant transformation due to the rapid development of adversary capabilities. These include long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), advanced radar systems, hypersonic delivery systems, and other tools that now threaten traditional concepts of air superiority. This shift has created a contested airspace, where achieving and maintaining air dominance is increasingly difficult. As a result, air forces need sophisticated strategies, particularly focused on enhancing their “reach” with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities.
BVR capabilities are crucial because they allow aircraft to engage targets at ranges beyond the reach of adversary radar or weapons systems. To remain competitive in BVR combat, fighter aircraft must rely on advanced radar systems. This shift has moved air combat from close-range dogfights to strategic, long-range engagements. To protect themselves and retain the initiative, these aircraft must be outfitted with advanced electronic warfare systems to counter incoming threats like radar-guided and infrared-guided missiles before they come within range. A fighter’s ability to detect, target, and neutralise an adversary’s BVR systems is also vital in maintaining air superiority. To stay ahead in this evolving environment, air forces must continuously invest in next-generation sensors, radar technologies, and missile systems. The future of air combat will require a blend of both offensive and defensive BVR tactics, as air forces aim to stay one step ahead of their adversaries.
The Indian Air Force is already actively preparing for this changing landscape. They are focused on enhancing their air power capabilities by integrating advanced electronically scanned array radars into their fighter aircraft fleets. This ensures that India’s air forces remain competitive in the modern battlespace, prepared to address emerging threats and maintain air superiority in an increasingly complex environment.
VIRUPAKSHA RADAR: AN INDIGENOUS INNOVATION
The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates two types of radar systems on its combat fighter aircraft: Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESA) and Passive Electronically Scanned Arrays (PESA). AESA radars excel because they can send and receive signals simultaneously through separate transmitter modules, which allows them to scan faster and with higher resolution. Conversely, PESA radars use a single transmitter and rely on phase-shifting to scan, which results in slower processing and reduced flexibility. The 8-12 GHz operating frequency of an X-Band AESA radar enables it to provide high-resolution pictures for accurate target identification, in contrast to PESA radars, which usually operate in the 4-8 GHz C-band operating frequency. It is perfect for applications requiring detailed imaging with improved resolution because of its shorter wavelengths. AESA outshines PESA with enhanced multi-target tracking, faster beam steering, quicker target acquisition, stronger resistance to jamming, and increased dependability—essential features in today’s high-stakes combat environment. AESA radars also significantly boost air power, offering better situational awareness, accurate target tracking, and increased radar effectiveness, ultimately improving survivability in contested airspace.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s combat fighter fleet, crucial for maintaining air superiority over the Indian subcontinent and the Northern Indian Ocean region. Its versatility allows it to perform a variety of missions, from ground strikes and air-to-air combat to maritime operations. The aircraft’s advanced avionics, powerful engines, and array of weaponry enable it to engage a wide range of targets. However, Sukhoi Su-30MKI squadrons rely on N011M BARS PESA radar, limiting their combat potential and effectiveness. This raises concerns about the aircraft’s ability to perform long-range targeting against advanced adversaries like China, which possesses formidable BVR capabilities and advanced air defence systems.
Image Courtesy: AlphaDefense
To boost its air power, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched an important project to upgrade its powerful Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, with a focus on using indigenous technology. One of the main upgrades is the integration of the advanced AESA radar. As part of this, the IAF plans to fit the Sukhoi Su-30MKI with the new Virupaksha radar system. The name ‘Virupaksha’ comes from a Sanskrit phrase that translates to ‘all seeing eye’, which shall signify the radar’s ability to provide a comprehensive view of the battlespace. This radar is a big step forward in India’s defense capabilities, marking a key achievement in indigenous air power modernisation.
Under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (DRDO-LRDE) in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Virupaksha radar will be an important part of the ‘Super Sukhoi’ program. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI will attain the status closer to a near fifth-generation fighter aircraft, improving its overall performance and capabilities, after the induction of the Virupaksha radar and other upgrades. The modernisation of the multirole aircraft shall also increase its service life by another 30 years. A radar’s range is a critical aspect of its performance—the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI’s current PESA radar can detect major targets, such as aircraft, up to 350 kilometers away. Owing to Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology’s improved output and efficiency, Virupaksha radar’s range could increase by up to 30%. This would push its range to around 455 km, surpassing the capabilities of the current PESA radar.
Radiating elements or portions of the antenna array that aid in the emission and reception of radar waves are referred to as planks in radar systems. Their inclusion facilitates easier testing and maintenance. Nearly 2400 radiating elements will be closely packed in GaN-based planks as part of the Virupaksha radar’s construction, according to Indian defense analyst AlphaDefense.
GaN material offers several advantages over Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) material in radar technology. GaN delivers much higher power, which helps radars detect targets at greater distances. GaAs, however, typically provides lower power, limiting its radar range. GaN also outperforms GaAs in terms of thermal efficiency. This allows GaN-based radars to work at higher power without overheating, reducing the need for complex cooling systems. Additionally, GaN supports wider bandwidths, improving radar sensitivity and resolution, which is crucial for detecting small or distant targets. All these factors make GaN-based AESA radars more effective, reliable, and capable, with the potential to extend radar range by up to 50% compared to GaAs. While the Sukhoi Su-30MKI is undergoing the GaN upgrade through Virupaksha Radar, the IAF’s Dassault Rafale jets are already equipped with GaAs-based AESA radar, highlighting the different radar technologies that will be used across IAF’s multirole combat fighter fleet.
STRATEGIC GAME CHANGER
China is rapidly modernising its massive aerial and air defence forces. Its recent display of flight testing two new sixth generation aircraft showcased China’s technological prowess. With a remarkably large fleet of airborne early warning and control aircraft, two stealth fifth generation aircraft, multiple fourth generation aircraft, ground-based air defence systems and a bomber fleet, China’s capabilities pose significant challenges to India’s air apparatus. Should a conflict initiate with China in relation to a disputed border, India would face considerable difficulties in ensuring integrity of air space over the length of the entire border it shares with its northern neighbour. Furthermore, India’s airspace integrity and maritime security are seriously threatened by China’s sophisticated missile forces and their capacity to exert pressure in the Indian Ocean region using multiple carrier battle groups.
Image Courtesy: Electromagnetic Warfare, NATO
Pakistan’s airborne and early warning aircraft fleet, dependence on China for its fourth generation and a possible acquisition of fifth generation aircraft, and its air defence systems constitute added hurdles for Indian air power establishment. These risks would increase if China and Pakistan were to engage in a joint, limited confrontation with India, creating a multi-dimensional threat. Joint military exercises between Chinese and Pakistani armed forces and an assured supply chain architecture for fourth and fifth generation aerial assets of Pakistan Air Force point to a daunting future.
The timely development and deployment of Virupaksha radar shall boost India’s airpower capabilities. Its integration with Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft shall ensure better survivability and effectiveness of the multirole fighter aircraft. Its successful integration could pave the way for equipping other fighter aircraft squadrons with the system in the future. Virupaksha radar’s advanced capabilities combined with its scalable manufacturing potential will ensure that India can maintain a strategic edge in the evolving Asian and Indo-Pacific security architecture.
*The writer is a PhD scholar, Amity Institute of Defence & Strategic Studies, Amity University, NOIDA.
