An announcement was released on February 14 by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). To meet socioeconomic demand for radar applications, enhance capabilities in environmental awareness, disaster prevention and mitigation, and observation and detection, strengthen radio administration, and maintain order in the radio spectrum, MIIT has recently issued the Provisions on Radio Administration of Radars (for Trial Implementation) (MIIT Radio [2025] No. 22, hereinafter referred to as the “Provisions”), in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Radio Administration and other relevant laws and regulations.
As an important field of radio technology application, radar systems are widely used in meteorological observation, aerospace, traffic navigation, marine monitoring, security protection and other key sectors, and are rapidly expanding into emerging fields such as autonomous driving and UAV management and control. Their stable operation and accurate detection are directly related to the safe operation of national infrastructure and the normal functioning of socioeconomic activities. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate supporting policies on radio administration of radars to further implement the requirements of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Radio Administration, fully guide and regulate the sound and orderly development of the radar industry, promote the efficient use of radio spectrum resources, and effectively guarantee the application needs of radar systems in various departments and industries.
Main Objectives of the Provisions:
First, clarify radar categories. Based on China’s actual radar applications, the Provisions cover nearly 20 types of radars, including aeronautical radars, meteorological radars, maritime traffic radars, and land traffic radars, achieving basically full coverage of major existing radar types in China.
Second, refine technical requirements. On the basis of comprehensively sorting out existing national and industrial radar standards and relevant ITU recommendations and reports, the Provisions systematically plan the frequency usage ranges and relevant radio technical indicators for various types of radars, further regulate the research and development, production, import, sales and use of radar equipment, provide clear policy guidance for the development of the radar industry, and boost industrial confidence.
Third, optimize administrative procedures. In light of different application scenarios, the approval authority for radar radio frequency licensing will be further delegated to better empower local development. Meanwhile, licensing procedures will be continuously optimized by combining frequency usage licensing with radio station establishment and operation licensing, so as to improve approval efficiency and effectively reduce burdens on users.
Fourth, strengthen usage supervision. The Provisions set clear requirements on interference coordination, electromagnetic environment protection, frequency utilization rate, in-service station inspection and equipment management for radar radio stations, so as to further standardize user operations and safeguard electromagnetic space security.
The Provisions shall come into force on January 1, 2026. From that date, the national radio administration authority will no longer accept or approve applications for type approval of radio transmitting equipment for radars that do not comply with these Provisions. For existing type approval certificates, no renewal will be granted upon expiration. Radio administrations at all levels will no longer accept new applications for radar frequency usage licensing or radio station establishment and operation licensing that are inconsistent with these Provisions.
For radar radio stations lawfully established and operated, if continued use is required upon expiration of the radio frequency usage term or the validity period of the radio station license, applications for renewal of radio frequencies and radio station operation may still be submitted to the radio administration in accordance with the law until the original equipment is scrapped.
