The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing the development of a new generation of man-portable Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) systems designed to detect, intercept and analyse signals emitted by hostile radars, drones and other electronic transmitters.
The project is being undertaken by Hyderabad-based Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), which has issued a tender for the initiative. The compact equipment is intended to enable frontline military units to monitor hostile electronic activity without depending on larger surveillance platforms. Its portable configuration could prove particularly useful in mountainous terrain, remote locations and areas with limited infrastructure, where deploying vehicle-mounted systems is challenging.
ELINT technology involves collecting and analysing electromagnetic emissions from radars and other electronic equipment to identify their types and assess their technical characteristics. By examining the signals transmitted by hostile systems, operators can determine parameters such as operating frequencies, transmission patterns and other distinctive electronic features. This information can support electronic warfare missions by improving the accuracy of jamming operations against adversary equipment.
The system is expected to use specialised antennas and receivers capable of monitoring multiple frequency bands simultaneously, enabling the detection of different types of military radars operating across a broad spectrum. Once a signal is detected, the equipment analyses parameters such as frequency, pulse width, pulse repetition interval, pulse repetition frequency, signal strength, direction of arrival and modulation characteristics. Together, these measurements establish an electronic signature that helps identify the transmitting system.
In operational environments, multiple radars and electronic transmitters may emit signals simultaneously, creating a complex electromagnetic environment. The system must therefore separate overlapping signals through a process known as deinterleaving. This technique uses signal timing, frequency characteristics and other distinguishing features to isolate individual emissions. Advanced digital signal processing and machine-learning techniques can further improve the efficiency of signal separation and classification.
Following signal isolation, the system compares the identified emissions with a database of known radar signatures to determine the likely type and function of the emitter. These may include search radars used to scan wide areas for potential targets, tracking radars designed to maintain observation of detected objects, and fire-control radars that provide targeting information for weapon systems.
The increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles on modern battlefields is another factor driving the importance of portable ELINT capabilities. By detecting and analysing relevant electronic emissions, such systems could help military personnel identify hostile drone activity, locate associated transmitters and obtain early indications of potential aerial threats. These capabilities could strengthen counter-drone operations, improve situational awareness and provide deployed forces with additional time to respond.
The equipment is also expected to support the estimation of transmitter locations. When multiple sensors detect the same emission, techniques such as triangulation and time-difference-of-arrival measurements can help determine the probable position of the source. Continuous monitoring of frequency variations and other signal characteristics may also reveal changes in a radar’s operating mode, helping operators assess developing threats and interpret adversary activity more effectively.
According to the reported project structure, the DRDO initiative will progress through three principal phases: development, integration and qualification. The development phase will focus on creating the necessary hardware and associated modules, followed by integration to combine the individual components into a complete operational system.
The qualification phase will involve comprehensive assessments against technical and environmental requirements. Testing is expected to address challenging military operating conditions, including extreme temperatures, humidity, vibration, mechanical shock and electromagnetic interference, to establish the system’s suitability for deployment in demanding field environments.
As electronic warfare and unmanned platforms become increasingly prominent in modern conflicts, compact intelligence-gathering systems are gaining strategic importance. DRDO’s initiative aims to strengthen India’s battlefield electronic surveillance capabilities by providing military personnel with a lightweight, portable solution for detecting, identifying and tracking electronic threats across difficult terrain.
