Indian Army Introduces Compact "Swathi Mountains" Radar

• 10 Aug 2023

The Indian Army has bolstered its battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities with the induction of a more compact version of the indigenous Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-M), christened "Swathi Mountains."

Key Points:

• Indigenous Technological Innovation: The radar's development was spearheaded by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), underscoring India's commitment to self-reliance and technological advancement in the defence sector.
• Comprehensive Capabilities: The "Swathi Mountains" radar boasts advanced electronically scanned phased array technology, empowering it with the capability to autonomously detect and track hostile artillery, mortars, and rocket launchers.
• Furthermore, the radar can accurately monitor friendly fire trajectories, facilitating precise calculations for more effective artillery strikes.
• Operational Adaptability: A distinguishing feature of the radar lies in its high mobility and swift deployment attributes, enabling rapid adaptation to evolving operational requirements.
• Counteracting Environmental Factors: The radar's design prioritizes resilience and resistance to electronic warfare measures, rendering it effective in hostile environments.
• Its integration into military operations enhances situational awareness by furnishing critical information on enemy weapon systems.
• Expanding Reach Across Services: While the initial deployment of "Swathi Mountains" is within the Defence Ministry's systems, plans are underway to extend its implementation to the networks of the three Services.
• Variants of Swathi Radar: India's Swathi radar exists in two versions: Swathi Plains (WLR) and Swathi Mountains (WLR-M).
• While Swathi Plains focuses on flat terrains, Swathi Mountains is a compact and mobile variant tailored for operations in mountainous and high-altitude regions.
• Strengthening National Defence: The introduction of the "Swathi Mountains" radar signifies a significant stride towards enhancing India's national defense capabilities, empowering the armed forces with advanced technology to effectively counter emerging challenges.