Only 58 kilometers from the international border, in Chorr Cantonment, Pakistan is building yet another TPS-77 radar station. The TPS-77 Multi-Role Radar (MRR) is a highly effective radar system that offers military forces all over the globe essential situational awareness and air traffic control capabilities.
The AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-117 radars from Lockheed Martin are members of the TPS-77 radar series. The TPS-77 MRR is a successful product line from Lockheed Martin that is much more transportable than the TPS-77 and is intended for ultra-low power usage.
A portable radar system that is simple to move and set up in various places is the TPS-77 MRR. It has a maximum detection range of 250 nautical miles and works in the S-band frequency range. (463 kilometres). In difficult environments, the radar employs cutting-edge digital signal processing techniques to deliver precise target detection and tracking capabilities.
A broad variety of airborne targets, such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and missiles, can be found and tracked using the TPS-77 MRR. For meteorological uses, it can also offer weather detection and tracking skills.
The AN/TPS-77 is the AN/FPS-117 radar’s transportable equivalent. Both are 470 km long-range, tactically transportable, three-dimensional aviation surveillance radars. There is 80% similarity between the two methods. The AN/TPS-77, in contrast to the AN/FPS-117, can be quickly deployed and transported to function anywhere in the world.
Pakistan has purchased TPS-77 MRR radar systems, which are multi-role radar systems equipped to identify unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), monitor low-flying aircraft, warn of tactical ballistic missile threats, defend against ground-based air attacks, and monitor maritime traffic. To improve air defense monitoring, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) introduced two new radar systems in November 2021, including the TPS-77 MRR.
India’s air defense assets may be impacted by Pakistan’s new TPS-77 radar site. Pakistan’s new radar site may make it more difficult for India to carry out surprise strikes as it has been working to modernize its air defense system. Given the recent history of tensions between the two nations, this is especially worrisome.
During the airstrike on Balakot in 2019, Pakistan allegedly used its own radar systems to identify and engage Indian fighter aircraft. However, Pakistan’s failure to notice India’s BrahMos missile misfire incident in 2020 exposed a hole in their radar coverage. It will be crucial for India to make sure it has the required countermeasures to defend its airspace as Pakistan expands its radar network.
The most recent action taken by Pakistan to build a second TPS-77 radar site highlights the value of cutting-edge radar technology in contemporary combat. The TPS-77 MRR is a highly effective system that offers military forces all over the globe essential situational awareness and air traffic control skills. The potential effect of Pakistan’s new radar site on India’s air defense capabilities is highlighted by the necessity for India to continue updating its air defense system and creating countermeasures to defend its airspace.
