Swordfish is an Indian active electronically scanned array (AESA)[1][2] long-range tracking radar specifically developed to counter ballistic missile threat.
Main aim of the test was to validate the capabilities of the Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR).
[3] However, it differs from the Israeli system as it employs Indian Transmit Receive modules, signal processing, computers and power supplies.
[4] Indian Armed Forces acquired two Green Pine long range base variant radar from Israel in July 2002 and August 2005 since USA vetoed the complete sale of Arrow 2 missile defense system in 1999 due to violation of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) which India at that time was not a participating member state.
After the government approved the installation of two additional Very Long Range Tracking Radars (VLRTR) units under an MOU between the NTRO and the IAF to implement a Missile Monitoring System to identify space-borne threats in support of Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD), the first VLRTR went into service in 2017.
As per Ministry of Defence (MoD), two units of VLRTR systems were accorded by Union Government under memorandum of understanding (MoU) between National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) and Indian Air Force for Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme.