Indian Planning $4 Billion Purchase of Russian Long Range Radars With Advanced Anti-Stealth Capabilities

<p >Indian sources have reported that talks are currently underway for for the acquisition of Russian Voronezh-DM long range radar systems, the contract for which is expected to be valued at over $4 billion. The deal is reported to have been discussed during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Russia in early December, with the Indian Defence Ministry reportedly seeking to ensure the manufacture of at least 60 percent components domestically. A number of local sources have projected that the deal could coincide with the <a href=" target="_blank">delivery</a> of India’s final S-400 long range air defence systems, which are themselves equipped with multiple smaller long range radar systems. Among these are the 91N6E S-band panoramic acquisition and combat management radars, which retain a 600km detection range against large aircraft. A $5.4 billion contract for five S-400 systems was <a href=" target="_blank">signed in October 2018</a>, despite considerable Western pressure on Delhi and sustained threats from the United States that it would impose economic sanctions should the deal proceed. Western pressure on India to distance itself from Russia and downgrade military cooperation has continued to mount, with the Indian government having nevertheless sustained ties. </p><p ><img src=" title="91N6E Mobile Radar Unit From S-400 System"></p><p >The Voronezh-DM is an ultra-high-frequency system with advanced over-the-horizon detection capabilities, and can detect targets over 6000 kilometres away. The systems are relied on to detect launches of intercontinental and intermediate range ballistic missiles, and provide information critical to facilitating interception. The systems are also well optimised to detecting enemy aircraft, including stealth fighters and bombers. This could be of particular value to India both as NATO members’ stealth fighter fleets traverse the Indian Ocean during carrier operations, and as China builds up its fleet of <a href=" target="_blank">J-20 fifth generation fighters</a>. A deal for the export of the J-20’s lighter counterpart, the FC-31, is also reported to have been <a href=" target="_blank">finalised with Pakistan</a>, with which India maintains multiple serious territorial disputes.</p><p >Voronezh-DM radar systems are expected to be deployed to cover the vast Indian Ocean and India’s northern and western borders, and could revolutionise the Indian Air Force’s awareness of other states’ aviation and missile activities in these areas. The Voronezh-DM is considered highly complementary with the S-400 air defence system, with the former able to provide early warning to the latter for the interception of incoming ballistic missiles, while also providing cueing data for S-400s to focus their sensors towards directions where enemy stealth aircraft are detected to be operating. Acquiring the The Voronezh-DM could pave the way for India to acquire the S-500 long range air defence system, which would allow it to effectively intercept all kinds of ballistic missiles including ICBMs and intermediate range hypersonic missiles detected by its early warning radars. The possibility of S-500 exports to the country <a href=" target="_blank" >has been raised</a> by Russian officials in the past, with India considered the leading potential foreign client for the system. </p>