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NEW DELHI — India is considering buying additional airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft.
“While three AWACS already stand operationalized in the Indian Air Force, there is a proposal for procurement of two additional AWACS,” India Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Upper House of Indian Parliament in a Dec. 19 letter.
All the three Israeli AWACS ordered in 2005 have been received. Now based at Agra near New Delhi, the AWACS include Israeli Phalcon radars mounted on Russian IL-76 aircraft.
The Indian Air Force is acquiring a mix of AWACS and smaller airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation is building three AEW&C aircraft using the Brazilian Embraer platform. The three homegrown AEW&C are scheduled to be inducted by 2014.
There is a total requirement of at least 20 AWACS and AEW&C aircraft to maintain border and coastline surveillance, an Indian Air Force official said.
