India has reached a major breakthrough in its defence technology landscape with the Uttam AESA radar, developed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE). The advanced radar system has successfully completed comprehensive flight testing on Tejas LCA prototypes LSP-2 and LSP-3, validating its capabilities across key air-to-air and air-to-ground operational modes. This milestone reflects India’s progress in developing advanced airborne sensors suited for modern warfare.
The Uttam program has logged significant flight hours through extensive trials on Tejas platforms. As of December 2025, the radar has completed more than 150 test flights on Tejas Mk1 aircraft, building on earlier integration trials on LSP-2 and LSP-3. These tests have demonstrated reliable performance in detecting, tracking, and engaging targets under operational conditions, indicating the system’s maturity and readiness. Continuous improvements in software, hardware integration, and operational modes have further enhanced its performance.
The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) has validated the successful completion of four critical phases of flight testing and hardware qualification. This milestone enables the radar to move toward production clearance and integration into operational aircraft. With certification achieved, Uttam is expected to be deployed on Tejas Mk1A variants and integrated into broader Indian Air Force modernization programs.
In comparative terms, the Uttam AESA radar has shown strong performance against established international systems. It is reported to offer approximately 25% higher efficiency in detection range, resolution, and multi-target tracking compared to the EL/M-2052 radar used in earlier Tejas configurations. Featuring around 980 Transmit/Receive modules in optimized configurations, the radar delivers enhanced situational awareness, improved detection of stealth targets, and robust performance in electronic warfare environments.
A key strength of the Uttam program is its high degree of indigenization, with about 95% of its components sourced domestically and minimal dependence on imports. This ensures greater autonomy in upgrades, maintenance, and future development. The program strongly supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and establishes Uttam as a scalable technology platform for future systems such as Tejas Mk2, AMCA, and upgrades to legacy fighter aircraft.
