Analysis of Radar Procurement in the Indian Government

What is Radar: Radar is an electromagnetic sensor which is used for detecting, tracking, relocating objects. It recognizes the objects by targeting it and the sound which echoes and returned to the radar. Radar can not only recognize or targeting the objects but also it can accurately measure its shape and sizes. Radar is a sensing device with its own illuminating senses to locate things. It usually operates in the electromagnetic spectrum, which measures in hertz.  Sometimes it can be extended from 400 megahertz to 40 gigahertz. It can also be used in infrared frequency as well as lower frequency for long range applications. It went under developed many times to fulfill the needs of the military in the 1940s and 30s. It is still use widely for the armed forces, though many technologically advances have originated. Along with that , radar has many more applications in the civilian’s life, such as weather control, air traffic control, environmental sensing, ship, and aircraft navigation and many more.

Types of Radars: There are two types of Radars depending on the signals, such as Pulse Radar and Continuous wave Radar. These two types can be divided into two more types in each section, such as Basic Pulse Radar and Moving target indicator Radar, Unmodulated continuous wave Radar and Frequency modulated continuous wave radar. Basic pulse radar targets the stationary objects using the Pulse signal. The radio uses a single antenna fie receive and sending signals with the help of a microwave switch that connects the both section of receiving and sending sounds accordingly.

The Moving Indicating Radio targets the moving objects use the same signals process like the Pulse Radar. The moving indicating radio uses the ‘Doppler’ effect to detect the moving and non – moving objects. According to this effect, the objects’ direction is directly connected with the frequency. If the object is coming closer to the Radar, then the frequency would be strong and if it goes far, then it would be slower. If the frequency of the object is changing constantly, then it would recognize as a moving object.

The Continuous Unmodulated Wave Radar is known as CW Radar. This Radar is different from the Pulse Radar, as it has two antennas, one fu8r sending and one f8r receiving signals. It can measure the object’s speed but cannot measure the object’s exact distance from the Radar. It uses two methods named ‘Mixers’ and ‘Side band filters’ to execute the frequencies and find the ‘Doppler effect.’ Frequency Modulated Continuous wave uses frequency modulated signals to operate transmitting and receiving signals along with two antennas. The FMCM Radar can specify the speed and the distance of the object from the radar. It uses ‘Switch frequency counter’ to calculate the speed and for calculating the distance uses ‘average Frequency counter.’

Radar Procurement by the Indian government: A total of 778 radar tenders were published by Indian government agencies during a 12 month period from Feb 2022 – Feb 2023. A brief overview of the various types of radars purchased by the government agencies is provided herein. The different types of radars purchased by the government are: guided wave type radar, ground penetrating radar, speed radar, radar level transmitter and radar gauge.

Speed radar:  Many different types of speed radar is purchased by the government such as the speed radar gun, speed radar display system and speed radar indicator. A majority of the procurement of speed radar is procured by the defense sector agencies. The police departments buy speed radar to check the speed at which vehicles are driven in the roads. Such purchases are done as safety measures taken to minimize the road accidents.

Ground penetrating radar: Many different types of ground penetrating radar tenders or GPR tenders are published by the government. The National Institute for Rock Mechanics for example sought to purchase Step frequency ground penetrating radar upgrade. In the State of Rajasthan, the department of higher education had a requirement for GPR. Also, a tender was published for purchase of GPR controller. Besides procurement of new radars, many government agencies sought to hire agencies to maintain the radar systems. The Western Coalfields for example advertised a tender for the AMC of Slope Stability Radar and Ground Probe.

Surveillance radars: The surveillance Radar helps to detect objects in the air, used mostly by air traffic control agencies. It can be classified into two types of Radars, such as primary and secondary surveillance Radar. The Primary Radar consists a parabolic antenna which rotates to detect the position and range of aircraft. The secondary Radar includes rotated antenna, which is mounted on the Primary antenna. This Radar detects the transponders of aircraft, that consists the barometric altitude, identification of the aircraft along with the emergency status code. A few surveillance radar tenders were advertised during the last year. For instance, the Indian army called for bids for the installation of surface surveillance radar. Besides procurement of the actual radar systems, many agencies sought to purchase radar simulators presumably for training purpose. A few tenders were called for installation of surveillance radar systems onboard navy ships.

Radar level transmitter: Radar Level Transmitter is a device that has been used to measure fluid level measurement. The primary function of this Radar is to create the RF signal which radiated by antenna and scattered by target. This transmitter works in the ‘electromagnetic wave’ at a range of 10 giga hertz under the microwave ‘X’ bandwidth. This is one of the most prominent radar system purchased by the government agencies. The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) advertised a tender in November 2023 for the purchase of a radar level transmitter. A similar tender was published by the Tamil Nadu State Electricity Board (TNEB) for the procurement of guided wave radar level transmitter. Such level transmitters were sought by primarily by the oil refineries, industries such as the national aluminum company limited and the department of heavy industry in Telangana.

Top ranked States: Of the 778 tenders published last year, 118 were published in Maharashtra. The next ranked State is Delhi at 89 tenders followed by Tamil nadu at 54 tenders. A few agencies which purchased radars are the Department of Heavy industries in Telangana State, Shipping Corporation of India Limited, Indian army, and National Institute of Ocean technologies. As of 29^th February 2024, there were 6 live tenders for Radars in Maharashtra accounting for 22% of all the live tenders. This is followed by Tamilnadu at 5 tenders. The next ranked states are Delhi and Uttar Pradesh at 4 each.

Conclusion:  Radar is a key instrument for surveillance, detecting objects, speed measurement and liquid level measurement. Mant government agencies in India seek to purchase various types of radar systems as explained above. With the rapid advancement of the country, the demand for radar systems will increase in the years to come. Hence, the businesses which manufacture and sell radar systems are advised to keep track of these tenders and participate in them.