DRDO Requests Info for Advanced Antennas to Enhance Military Stealth and Capabilities
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently issued a priority Request for Information (RFI) for advanced wideband shared aperture phased array antennas spanning 1–6 GHz and 5–18 GHz. This cutting-edge project, managed by DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF), aims to integrate radar, electronic warfare (EW), and communication functions into a single low-profile antenna surface. By consolidating multiple functions, this technology is expected to significantly reduce radar cross-section (RCS), enhancing the stealth capabilities of platforms like UAVs, fighter jets, and naval vessels. The initiative underscores India’s strategic goal of defense self-reliance and network-centric warfare readiness by enabling unified sensor networks capable of real-time multi-domain operations, including ballistic missile defense tracking and AEW&C missions. Indigenous development of wideband transmit/receive modules, advanced radomes, and unified receivers is critical. The project reflects India’s growing emphasis on indigenization and technology edge in electronic warfare and stealth, bolstering military survivability and operational agility amid regional security challenges. Key updates emerged in November 2025.
