DRDO Develops Indigenous Chip Tech For Radars & Electronic Warfare

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed and demonstrated indigenous Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology for high-frequency military applications.

The Ministry of Defence report confirmed the successful fabrication and demonstration of X-band Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) and S-band GaN High Electron-Mobility Transistor (HEMT) power amplifiers.

These components are central to generating, amplifying, receiving, and controlling high-frequency signals used in radar, electronic warfare, and communications.

A single indigenous GaN chip can deliver up to 30 watts of power while operating 300 times faster than silicon-based chips.

The development was made possible by the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), a specialised DRDO facility, which developed indigenous processes to grow and manufacture 4-inch Silicon Carbide (SiC) wafers.

The Ministry of Defence has noted that GaN and SiC-based technology offers improved efficiency, reduced size, and weight, making it critical for future combat systems and radars.

GaN-based power amplifiers are used in Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and active electronic warfare jamming pods.

The multifunctional MMICs developed under this programme also have applications in strategic systems, space, aerospace, and 5G and satellite communications.

This breakthrough is a significant step towards self-reliance in defence electronics for India.

The development of indigenous GaN technology will have a major impact on India's defence sector, enabling the country to reduce its reliance on foreign technology.

This will also have implications for India's military capabilities, allowing for the development of more advanced radar and electronic warfare systems.

In conclusion, the successful development of indigenous GaN semiconductor technology is a major breakthrough for India's defence sector, and will have significant implications for the country's military capabilities and self-reliance in defence electronics.