Research on the futuristic defence application of photonic radar is underway in the defence establishment, especially at the Electronic and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The DRDO’s technology portfolio includes, among others, photonic radar signal generation, photonic down-converter, photonic analogue-to-digital converter, Optical beam forming array and photonic integrated circuits, which DRDO-LRDE is pursuing, according to an entry on the DRDO website.
These applications rely on photonics for generating and manipulating high-frequency radio signals and may lead to radar systems with enhanced bandwidth, signal processing and sensing features. Several sophisticated technological fields, such as RF engineering, photonic integrated circuits, semiconductor devices, digital signal processing and electronic warfare, merge for this development.
LRDE is collaborating with industry to develop new radar hardware technology too. For instance, MoD procurement data shows an LRDE project scheduled for delivery by July 2026, relating to the design, production, installation and integration of high resolution radar hardware, signifying an increasing industry presence in the Indian radar ecosystem. India’s defence-electronics sector sees the photonic radar as a viable future technology platform for use on future ground-based or aerial sensor suites, and its progress here signifies a parallel advancement in India’s self-reliance endeavours on complex radar technology as well as its semiconductor capabilities.
