The Indian Air Force (IAF), which is short of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, is looking at the procurement of 12 aircraft under two different programmes.
More about the Procurement
- Program 1: Six additional Embraer-based AEW&C systems (Netra Mk1A).
- Program 2: Six new AEW&C Mk2 systems, based on Airbus A-321 aircraft (under development by DRDO).
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About AEW&C
- The AEW&C system is an indigenously developed & produced airborne surveillance system by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- It is mounted on aircrafts for scanning and surveillance.
- Enables operators to identify and assess threats and guide interceptors for neutralization.
- Net-centric system with command and control functions providing information to ground units and integrating data to form a composite picture of the environment.
Acts as a command center for operators to select, command, and guide interceptors efficiently.- Follow-on Order: Netra Mk1A
- Aircraft: Embraer-based AEW&C system (akin to existing Netra systems).
- Coverage: 240-degree airspace coverage.
- Features:
- Indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
- Detects and tracks enemy aircraft, UAVs, and more.
- Functions as a net-centric command and control system, guiding interceptors for threat neutralization.
- Current Status: Three in service, six more planned.
Network for Electromagnetic Surveillance and Tracking of Aerial Objects (NETRA)
- Netra is an airborne early warning and control (AEW&CS) system developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Air Force (IAF)
- Purpose: To detect and track aerial objects, including aircraft, drones, and balloons, at long ranges.
- Technology: Employs advanced radar systems and artificial intelligence to provide real-time surveillance.
- Capabilities: Can detect and track objects at altitudes up to 10,000 kilometers and distances of 300 kilometers.
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- Modifications: Minor upgrades; procurement from Embraer with modifications by DRDO-CABS.
About CABS
- It is Laboratory of DRDO in Bangalore.
- Provide cost effective solutions for Airborne Surveillance Systems for various services
- It is a Nodal agency to develop complex airborne system of systems
- Also developing an Identification Friend and Foe (IFF) interrogators for Tri-services
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- Existing System: Netra AEW&C:
- Mounted on Embraer aircraft; developed by DRDO-Centre For Airborne Systems (CABS).
- New System: AEW&C Mk2
- Aircraft: Airbus A-321.
- Coverage: 300-degree airspace coverage.
- Features:
- Modified by Airbus, with radar and systems developed by DRDO.
- Designed to enhance situational awareness, including low-flying targets and high-altitude threats.
- Current Status: Contract negotiations are ongoing.
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Other warning and Control system used by India
Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System):
- It is an Israeli radar system used for air defence.
- The radar uses an active electronically scanned array (AESA) to electronically steer a beam, which allows it to provide 360-degree coverage without the need for a rotodome.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) has three Israeli EL/M-2090 Phalcon AWACS.
- It’s mounted on Russian-origin Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft and is sometimes called an “eye in the sky” because of its surveillance capabilities.
- Detection: Can detect, track, and identify low-flying aircraft at distances of up to 370 kilometres.
October 7, 2024
