Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)

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.

• • Modifications: Minor upgrades; procurement from Embraer with modifications by DRDO-CABS.

• • 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.