Article Posted on : - Jun 04, 2011

AHMEDABAD (PTI): The first indigenously-made Medium Power Radar (MPR) `Arudhra' was inducted at Air Force station in Naliya, Kutch, near Pakistan border, by Air Chief Marshal P V Naik.

Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), `Arudhra' replaces the ageing TRS-2215 and PSM-33 radars, an official release here said.

The radar has a state-of-the-art technology, capable of detecting targets at ranges greater than 300 kilometres, and it is an important component in IAF plans to achieve `net centric operations', it said.

The radar is being inducted to strengthen air defence capabilities in the Saurashtra-Kutch region, it added.

Gujarat coastline has several economically important installations and the new radar will help in extending their security.

The IAF fighters conducted a fly-past synchronised with the induction of radar by the Chief of the Air Staff.

The Air Force unit in which new radar has been inducted was raised in October 1966 in Jodhpur, and it moved to Naliya in June 1988. At Naliya the unit has played a pivotal role in air defence of Saurashtra-Kutch region.