India Takes on Stealth With First-Ever Photonic Radar.

India’s defence research agency has taken a bold step into next-gen sensing with its unveiling of a photonic radar system. Unlike traditional radars that rely on radio waves, this new platform uses light-based signals to detect airborne threats, marking a significant shift in how targets might be tracked in the future.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) believes the system could overcome one of modern radar’s biggest blind spots: stealth aircraft. The system reportedly offers higher resolution, faster processing, and greater resilience against electronic interference.

“The photonic radar represents a paradigm shift in radar technology. Its ability to process signals with light-based components allows for faster, more precise detection, even in contested environments”, a DRDO official stated. Trials of the new radar are scheduled for late 2025, with the aim of potentially giving Indian defences visibility into hostile aircraft specifically designed to avoid detection.

Turning Light into Early Warning Weapon –

Photonic radar works by converting electrical signals into light, transmitting them, and then processing the returned signal using advanced optical components built for speed and precision. This allows for detailed detection even at long range, with less susceptibility to jamming or signal degradation.

Traditional radar systems often lose effectiveness against aircraft designed to scatter or absorb radio waves, a well-known limitation in stealth detection. But stealth designs are not optimized to evade light in the same way, especially in the frequency ranges used by photonic systems.

The DRDO said its radar can detect targets with smaller radar cross-sections than existing systems, opening the door to tracking drones, cruise missiles, or low-observable fighters more effectively.

“This is like upgrading from a blurry camera to a 4K lens”, said aerospace analyst Rhea Malhotra. “It’s a force multiplier for India’s integrated air defence network”. Upcoming trials will test the system against live scenarios, including drone flights and simulated stealth approaches under various atmospheric conditions.

Team Maverick