The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing the development of the Surface Wave Over-The-Horizon Radar (SWOTH-Radar) to enhance maritime surveillance for the Indian Navy. Operating in the High Frequency band (3-30 MHz), this bi-static radar system employs surface wave propagation to detect targets up to 500 km beyond the visual horizon, overcoming line-of-sight limitations of conventional radars. With a transmitter and receiver positioned at separate coastal sites, the design minimizes interference, enhances operational flexibility, and improves clutter suppression for detecting surface vessels, submarines, and low-flying aircraft, crucial for monitoring activities in the Indian Ocean Region. The system’s completion of core subsystems and upcoming installation trials in 2026 mark a key milestone in indigenous defense technology. SWOTH radar bridges the critical gap between shorter-range surface radars and airborne systems like AWACS by providing persistent long-range maritime domain awareness at a lower cost and vulnerability. The radar’s all-weather capability and low susceptibility to electronic countermeasures will significantly bolster the Navy’s situational awareness and early warning networks.