India, Aug. 4 -- India's effort to field an indigenous fighter radar has moved closer to large-scale production, with Astra Microwave Products securing a Rs 2,205.23 crore order from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for components of the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

The domestic contract covers 122 Active Antenna Array Units (AAAU) and 121 Interface Frames for the Uttam radar and is scheduled to be executed over five years. The order is significant because it moves the programme beyond radar development and testing towards the manufacture of equipment required for its integration into operational fighter aircraft.

At the centre of the programme is Uttam, an indigenous AESA fire-control radar developed by th...