Bengaluru Defence Firm Completes Major Upgrade of IAF's Pechora Missile System
In a significant development for India's indigenous defence capabilities, Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies Ltd (ADTL) has successfully completed a comprehensive upgrade of the Indian Air Force's Pechora surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. This achievement aligns with the central government's strategic push to modernize ageing military hardware through domestic technological expertise.
Digitization and Enhanced Air Defence Posture
The upgraded Pechora system has undergone complete digitization, transforming it from a legacy platform into a modern air defence asset. This technological overhaul is expected to substantially strengthen India's air defence posture, providing enhanced capability to counter contemporary aerial threats.
The modernized system is poised to play a crucial role in Mission Sudarshan Chakra, an ambitious initiative aimed at creating a layered and integrated air defence shield. This comprehensive defence network is designed to counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats, ranging from small unmanned drones to high-speed fighter aircraft.
Extending the Legacy of a Critical System
The Pechora system, originally inducted into Indian Air Force service in the 1970s, has served as a cornerstone of India's air defence network for nearly five decades. While the Russian-origin system has been renowned for its reliability, advancing technology and the increasing complexity of sustaining legacy platforms necessitated a comprehensive upgrade programme.
To address these challenges, the IAF initiated an extensive modernization effort aimed at extending the system's operational service life while significantly improving its combat effectiveness. ADTL emerged as the strategic partner for this critical programme, leveraging its established expertise in defence manufacturing.
On September 25, 2020, the company formalized this partnership by signing a contract worth Rs 591.3 crore specifically for the Pechora upgrade project.
Successful Trials and Indigenous Achievement
According to Wing Commander (retd) Vishal Anand, programme director for the Pechora upgrade at ADTL, the first fully upgraded system underwent successful firing trials at the Pokhran range between November 6 and December 26, 2025. These user trials conclusively demonstrated the operational readiness and effectiveness of the digitized system under realistic field conditions.
Group Captain (retd) Raghavendra Aroor, Chief Operating Officer of ADTL, highlighted the landmark nature of this achievement: "We have become the first Indian company to modernize a vintage Russian-origin weapon system and the first private Indian firm to carry out successful surface-to-air missile launches."
This breakthrough demonstrates that imported legacy defence systems can be effectively upgraded indigenously to meet contemporary operational standards. Aroor emphasized that such upgrades can be accomplished "at a fraction of the cost of acquiring entirely new platforms, resulting in substantial savings for the country while improving operational readiness."
Technical Specifications of the Upgrade
The comprehensive modernization of the Pechora system involved multiple critical enhancements:
- Complete digitization of the missile's tracking radar system
- Installation of a new transmitter unit
- Upgrade of the complete receiver chain from vintage valve/transistor components to latest chip-based technology
- Modernization of the operators' cabin with state-of-the-art display systems, advanced data collection capabilities, and comprehensive health monitoring systems
- Considerable reduction in required cabin crew due to automation and improved systems
- Refurbishment and replacement of mechanical systems within the missile complex
Strategic Implications and Future Prospects
For the Indian Air Force, this project represents a strategic approach to maintaining combat capability while gradually transitioning toward newer technologies. The upgraded Pechora system will significantly contribute to the broader objectives of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, enhancing India's integrated air defence architecture.
ADTL CEO Hariprasad and CFO KS Ramesh noted that this successful upgrade not only strengthens national defence but also positions Alpha Design Technologies to explore opportunities in the global defence market. The company has previously demonstrated its capabilities through indigenous manufacturing of various defence systems, including thermal imaging fire control units, software-defined radios, handheld laser target designators, and missile launch detection systems.
Notably, ADTL has also developed the "Aerial Targeting System" — SkyStriker, which played a role in Operation Sindoor, further establishing the company's credentials in defence technology innovation.
This successful upgrade of the Pechora missile system marks a significant milestone in India's journey toward self-reliance in defence modernization, demonstrating how strategic partnerships between the armed forces and domestic private sector companies can yield substantial technological and operational benefits.
