The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a major milestone in India’s indigenous defence technology programme by successfully testing a new airborne electronic warfare (EW) suite designed for the HAL Tejas Mk 1A fighter jet.
The new system, officially named Swayam Raksha Kavach (SRK), has entered the flight-testing stage. Developed by DRDO’s Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) in Bengaluru, the EW suite is intended to provide the Tejas Mk 1A with next-generation protection against radar-guided missiles and electronic threats in modern air combat.
According to defence sources, the SRK integrates multiple subsystems – including a radar warning receiver (RWR), jammer pod, and countermeasure dispensers – to detect, classify, and neutralise hostile radar signals. The RWR is embedded within the aircraft’s structure, while the jammer pod is mounted externally, giving the fighter both agility and comprehensive electromagnetic protection.
The system’s development marks a significant evolution from the D-29 EW suite, previously created for the Indian Air Force’s MiG-29 upgrade programme. With SRK, engineers have introduced faster digital signal processing, improved frequency coverage, and real-time threat analysis – features essential for modern network-centric warfare.
The flight evaluation process is expected to continue into 2026, after which the EW suite will be integrated into frontline Tejas Mk 1A squadrons. DRDO is collaborating with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for large-scale production, ensuring that the technology remains fully indigenous under the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Experts say that once operational, the Swayam Raksha Kavach will transform the Tejas into a far more survivable platform capable of operating in dense radar environments. It will also allow the Indian Air Force (IAF) to undertake deeper strike and suppression-of-enemy-air-defence (SEAD) missions with greater confidence.
With this breakthrough, India continues to strengthen its self-reliant ecosystem in critical aerospace and electronic warfare technologies, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and enhancing national security preparedness.
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