Heralding a new era in India's efforts at indigenisation in defence technology, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is currently conducting flight tests of an airborne electronic warfare suite (EWS), Swayam Raksha Kavach, for integration into HAL’s light combat aircraft Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft.
Citing a DRDO official on the sidelines of the Samanvay 2025 industry summit of DRDO in Bengaluru, Janes confirmed that Swayam Raksha Kavach is being tested on an LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft.
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According to reports, the strategic deployment of Swayam Raksha Kavach EWS, developed by the Centre for Airborne Systems of DRDO, is expected by 2026. The development of this EWS, which is expected to significantly enhance the survivability and stealth of Tejas Mk1A in modern combat scenarios, began in 2021.
Swayam Raksha Kavach includes a wide-spectrum radar warning receiver (RWR) that is integrated into the body of the fighter jet and an advanced self-protection jammer (ASPJ), which uses digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) technology to confuse and jam hostile radars and electronic systems.
The reports of flight tests come even as the government signed a contract with HAL for the procurement of 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft, including 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters, in September.
Besides, DRDO has also modernised the legacy D-29 electronic warfare suite developed for the MiG-29 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.
