India To Have 2 New EW Test Ranges

( By Aviationweek ) The Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is establishing two test ranges to test electronic warfare (EW) systems in Chitradurga (Karnataka) and Tandur (Andhra Pradesh).
DRDO Chief Controller Prahalda told Aviation Week that the facilities would act as force multipliers for India’s EW capabilities. “The ranges would augment India’s testing capabilities further. Today, we use the [Indian Air Force] range in Gwalior for carrying out some specific tests. Smart systems are crucial during future conflicts,” Prahalda said.
DRDO hopes to make both the ranges live within the 2012-14 timeframe with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore (almost $219 million) total. The ranges would be used for simulation, modeling and testing, among other uses.
“In today’s scenario EW systems take centerstage. If the weapons are nullified with jammers, before you initiate any action, you are numbed. Without EW systems, you cannot win a war,” said Prahlada.
Meantime, on the MiG-27 upgrade program, the DRDO official said that it had successfully completed the integration of EW suites on the platform, with operational flights scheduled starting next year. “MiG-29 is next in line. We are also working on a fourth-generation EW system that would be ready by 2012,” he said.
The Defense Electronics Application and Defense Electronics Research laboratories are actively pursuing developments on the new EW system to be manufactured by Bharat Electronic Limited.
The long-range surface to air missile (LR-SAM), being developed in partnership with Israel, had completed one test phase recently and more trials are scheduled to begin next year.
DRDO also hopes to get about Rs 9,000 crore from next year’s Indian government’s budget for strategic and tactical systems. Bangalore is currently hosting the two-day National Electronic Warfare Workshop, which began Nov. 24.