Find Out Why Experts Say India Needs to Acquire Russia’s Voronezh Radar System
India is set to finalise a $4 billion defence deal with Russia for the advanced Voronezh long-range early warning radar system, enhancing its ability to track ballistic missiles, aircraft, and space objects, according India Today.
SputnikIndia’s defence capabilities are about to get a serious boost thanks to the acquisition of the advanced ‘Voronezh’ ballistic missile attack early warning radar system from Russia, as per Indian media report.
Developed by Almaz-Antey, this
advanced radar system will be installed in Karnataka state’s Chitradurga city, enhancing India’s missile detection, air defence, and surveillance capabilities.
The Voronezh radar network would play an instrumental role in missile warning efforts, Alexander Mikhailov, head of the Bureau of Military-Political Analysis (BVPA), told Sputnik India. This system operates in conjunction with Russia's satellites to effectively detect ballistic missile launches.
“When a satellite detects a launch, it alerts the Voronezh radar, which then confirms or refutes the threat. The key role of these radar systems is to verify the presence of a threat, such as a mass launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles, and provide crucial information for interception,” Mikhailov stressed.
The radar's far-reaching coverage of 6,000 to 8,000 kilometres will enable India to monitor vast areas, including the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean, former IAF Vice Chief, retired Air Marshal Anil Khosla, told Sputnik India.
With increasing regional missile threats from adversaries, an advanced early warning system is crucial for maintaining strategic stability, Air Marshal Khosla explained. In this case, early detection improves command-and-control structures, allowing policymakers to make informed decisions during a crisis, he emphasised.
The radar’s range will make it possible for India to keep a close eye on Chinese missile and air activities, especially in Tibet and Xinjiang.
“In South Asia, India faces growing security challenges, including the potential deployment of advanced missile systems by neighbouring countries. An advanced radar like Voronezh would enable India to maintain technological parity and address evolving threats,” Khosla added.
Furthermore, being strategically located in Chitradurga, this would enhance coverage for India's southern and western borders, ideally integrating with current military configurations.
Experts have highlighted that the Voronezh radar would complement India's existing defence systems, such as the S-400.
“While the S-400 missile system monitors airspace up to 600 km, the Voronezh radar system extends surveillance over a much larger area, monitoring air and near-space environments from distances of up to 8,000 kilometers,” Mikhailov highlighted.
Khosla pointed out that the Voronezh system could seamlessly fit into India's layered defence architecture, aligning with the South Asian giant's need for cost-effective and comprehensive defence solutions.
While India has been advancing its indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems, including the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptors, the Russian Voronezh radar could further improve tracking precision and target acquisition, he underscored.
Moreover, the radar’s multirole capability extends to space surveillance, vital for India’s growing space program.
“The radar’s ability to monitor terrestrial, space objects and debris fits well with India's civil and military objectives, including its burgeoning space program under ISRO,” Khosla said.
Unlike older radar systems that necessitate extensive construction and lengthy deployment times, the Voronezh radar system is engineered for rapid field deployment, making it essential for real-time responses to emerging threats.
Since the mid-2000s, Russia has been using the Voronezh radar system, gradually replacing outdated Soviet-era radar systems.
“Currently, it is being upgraded with new components that can operate across various frequency bands, from metre to centimetre wavelengths, allowing military experts to track targets of various sizes in air and near-space environments, calculate their distances, and determine their potential for interception if necessary,” Mikhailov specified.
The deal aligns with New Delhi's Make in India initiative, with around 60% of the radar's components expected to be manufactured domestically.
“Access to high-end Russian technology would complement India’s indigenous radar development and foster domestic R&D through technology transfer agreements,” Khosla concluded.