Swathi Weapon Locating Radar: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}

| number            = 32 on order

| range= Artillery  → 2-30 km <br>Rockets → 4-40 km <br>Mortars → 2-20 km<ref name="DRDO Brochure 2" />

The WLR project was officially sanctioned in April 2002, with a sanctioned amount of {{Indian Rupee}} 200&nbsp;million and an estimated completion time of 40 months.<ref>{{cite news | title = Manufacturing of Weapon Locating Radar | url = http://mod.nic.in/samachar/june15-02/html/ch8.htm | work = Sainik Samachar | publisher = [[Ministry of Defence (India)]] | date = 15 June 2002 | access-date = 2008-07-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090410193513/http://mod.nic.in/Samachar/june15-02/html/ch8.htm | archive-date = 10 April 2009 | url-status = live }}.</ref> The first working prototype was to be ready by April 2004. The final project cost was {{USD}} 49 million.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} In January 2003, an intent for procurement of 28 WLRs was placed with BEL.<ref name="MoD 3 Jul" />

The WLR is similar to the [[AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar|AN/TPQ-37 radar]] in design and performance<ref>{{cite news|title=India develops weapon-locating radar |url=http://news.indiamart.com/news-analysis/india-develops-weapo-8437.html |publisher=PIB Press Release |date=13 December 2004 |access-date=2008-07-25 |quote=India has developed a weapon-locating radar (WLR) similar to the AN/TPQ-37 of the US at a cost of {{Indian Rupee}}.260 million ($49 million), Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha 9 Dec. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029115250/http://news.indiamart.com/news-analysis/india-develops-weapo-8437.html |archive-date=29 October 2006}}</ref> but is reportedly more user friendly.<ref>[http://www.forceindia.net/interview3.asp "Once we Partner with World Class Companies, we May have to Upgrade our Capabilities"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803165545/http://www.forceindia.net/interview3.asp |date=3 August 2008 }}, An Interview with H.S. Bhadoria, Director, Bangalore Complex, Bharat Electronics Ltd., ''Force Magazine''. Retrieved 28 July 2008</ref> It is a [[passive electronically scanned array]] radar, derived from the [[Rajendra Radar]] (which is the fire control radar for the [[Akash missile]] system).<ref name="DRDO Brochure" /> During tests of the [[Akash missile]] at Chandipur, engineers noticed the Rajendra radar was able to detect and track [[artillery]] shells being test fired at a nearby range.<ref name="Luthra">{{cite news | first = Gulshan | last = Luthra | title = Indian Army acquiring 28 indigenous Weapon Locating Radars | url = http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories130.htm | work = India Strategic Magazine | location = [[New Delhi]] | date = July 2008 | access-date = 2008-07-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162415/http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories130.htm | archive-date = 21 July 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="What is India">{{cite news | title = BEL Weapon Locating Radars | url = http://www.whatisindia.com/stories/2006/12/wis_ds_20061214_bel_weapon_locating_radars.html | publisher = What Is India News Service | date = December 2006 | access-date = 2008-07-25 | quote = The new radar is based on the Rajendra-phased radar system that is already deployed in the Indian armed forces after engineers accidentally noticed during an anti-missile Akash missile test, that the Rajendra system could detect and track artillery shells. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080904222036/http://www.whatisindia.com/stories/2006/12/wis_ds_20061214_bel_weapon_locating_radars.html | archive-date = 4 September 2008 | url-status = live }}</ref> Based on this observation, LRDE scientists were able to adapt the Rajendra Array into the WLR.

Upon detecting an incoming round, the automatically acquires and classifies the threat and initiates a track sequence, while continuing to search for new targets. The incoming round's trajectory is tracked, and a computer program analyses the track data and then extrapolates the round's point of origin. This calculated point of origin is then reported to the radar operator, thus allowing friendly artillery to direct counter-battery fire towards the enemy artillery.<ref name="DRDO Brochure" />

A basic prototype of the WLR was first unveiled at [[Aero India]]-2003.<ref name="ACIG AI-03">[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_227.shtml Picture of the WLR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010180852/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_227.shtml |date=10 October 2014 }} from [[Aero India]]-2003.</ref> The WLR was showcased at the Republic Day Parade in 2007.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Republic Day 2007 - A curtain raiser | publisher = Press Information Bureau, [[Government of India|GoI]] | date = 25 January 2007 | url = http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=24362 | access-date = 2008-07-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110605163201/http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=24362 | archive-date = 5 June 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref> User trials of the WLR began in 2005. The Army also used WLRs to further their "[[shoot-and-scoot]]" doctrine using self-propelled guns and artillery to loosen up defence before an offensive onslaught into hostile territory.<ref name="What is India" /> By mid-2006, the WLR was in advanced user acceptance trials and the radar was stated to be ready for production.<ref>{{cite news |title=India developing weapon locating radar |url=http://www.defenceindia.com/company_news/news133.html |publisher=Defence India |location=Bangalore |date=20 December 2005 |access-date=2008-01-23 |quote="It (weapon locating radar) is in the final stage of evaluation. Once evaluation is complete, we will deliver it to armed forces," chairman and managing director of BEL, Y Gopala Rao, told reporters. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319232818/http://www.defenceindia.com/company_news/news133.html |archive-date=19 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Weapon locating radar in final evaluation stage | url = http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/21/stories/2005122125480400.htm | work = [[The Hindu]] | date = 21 December 2005 | access-date = 2008-07-25 | quote = Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) and Bharat Electronics Limited are in the process of developing a weapon-locating radar, similar to the phased array Rajendra radar system, customised for airborne and ground defence systems. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210164521/http://hindu.com/2005/12/21/stories/2005122125480400.htm | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

After user trials by the Indian Army in severe electronic clutter and "high density fire environment", in June 2008, the WLR was accepted by the [[Indian Army]].<ref name="Luthra" /> 28 units are on order, and are being manufactured by BEL. A large number of components will be sourced from the private sector, including some [[commercial off-the-shelf]] (COTS) components from the international market.<ref name="Luthra" /> The WLR will eventually service the Army's requirement for 40-50 systems.<ref>{{cite news |title=India to test long-range Agni missile next year |url=http://www.indianembassy.org/i_digest/2004/jan_15/agni.htm |work=India Digest |publisher=[[Embassy of India in Washington]] |date=15 January 2004 |access-date=2008-01-23 |quote=DRDO's weapon-locating radar would be in competition to fill the Indian Army's need for 40-50 such systems. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041215204829/http://www.indianembassy.org/i_digest/2004/jan_15/agni.htm |archive-date=15 December 2004}}</ref> Further improved versions of the WLR are being planned and designed,<ref name="Luthra" /> including longer range versions, as well as more compact variants for better operation and navigation over mountainous terrains. The [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) officially handed over the WLR Swathi to the [[Indian Army]] on 2 March 2017 for service induction. Currently, the radar is using a [[Passive electronically scanned array|'passive' array]] but efforts are going on to upgrade it with an [[Active electronically scanned array|'active' array]] to enhance performance and reliability.<ref>{{cite news | title = DRDO radar handed over to Army; to bring down LoC artillery fire: Parrikar | url = http://www.oneindia.com/india/drdo-radar-handed-over-to-army-to-bring-down-loc-artillery-2363200.html | publisher = One India | date = 2 March 2017 | access-date = 2017-03-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190210055048/https://www.oneindia.com/india/drdo-radar-handed-over-to-army-to-bring-down-loc-artillery-2363200.html | archive-date = 10 February 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref>  

*[[Indian Army]]  

*[[Armed Forces of Armenia|Armenian Army]] - 4 delivered.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/india-pips-russia-poland-to-secure--40-million-defence-deal-to-armenia/story/397235.html|title=India pips Russia, Poland to secure $40 million defence deal to Armenia|website=businesstoday.in|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aninews.in/news/national/general-news/india-beats-russia-poland-to-bag-40-million-defence-deal-in-europe20200301162402/|title=India beats Russia, Poland to bag $40 million defence deal in Europe|website=aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref>

**'''Unguided rockets:'''  4–40&nbsp;km