PolicyDefence
IAF seeks maintenance support for 46 airfield surveillance radars, wants 95% uptime at every base
The Air Force's request for proposals covers its ATCR-33S radars bought between 2003 and 2017 and newer Mk XII(S) friend-or-foe systems, with Bharat Electronics named for the tender.
Key points
- The IAF wants upkeep for 46 ATCR-33S airfield surveillance radars at its air bases.
- Serviceability must stay above 95% at each location, not just across the fleet.
- Breakdowns need a response within 72 hours and on-site repair within four days.
The Indian Air Force has issued a request for proposals seeking “maintenance support for 46 ATCR-33S airfield surveillance radars at its various air bases”, and has set strict targets for how often they must be working.
Under the terms, the serviceability rate “at each location must exceed 95 per cent”, so a strong average across the fleet will not be enough if a single base falls short. Breakdowns are to get a response within 72 hours, and on-site repairs are to be completed within four days.
The radars, which track aircraft in the air around a base, were bought in three batches, in 2003, 2007 and 2017. The request also covers support for the newer Mk XII(S) identification friend or foe (IFF) systems, which let controllers tell their own aircraft from others.
State-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has been named as the company to receive the service tender. No other bidders have been mentioned. The deadline for bids and the value of the contract have not been made public, nor have the bases where the radars sit.