New Delhi: The Indian Air Force has moved forward with plans to significantly enhance its aerial surveillance and airspace management capabilities by issuing a request for information to the defence industry for the procurement of six Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, along with associated ground systems and infrastructure.
According to the RFI issued on January 5, the primary role of the AEW&C platform is long-range radar detection. The document describes the system as a complex integration of multiple capabilities, including radar, identification of friend or foe systems, electronic and communication surveillance measures, command and control, battle management functions and secure data-link networking.
While the RFI does not specify a particular aircraft platform, it lays down demanding operational requirements. The aircraft must have a minimum endurance of ten hours or be capable of mid-air refuelling, operate at a service ceiling of 45,000 feet and be able to fly from airfields located at altitudes of around 10,000 feet. The mission suite is expected to deliver a full 360-degree scan, with the ability to detect a wide spectrum of threats ranging from small, slow-moving targets to hypersonic vehicles. Satellite-based navigation and communication systems, along with self-protection measures, have also been mandated.
Among the platforms being considered are Airbus A-320 passenger aircraft acquired from Air India for potential military modification, as well as the Embraer Legacy executive jets. Three Embraer aircraft have already been converted indigenously into AEW&C platforms by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and inducted into the IAF as the Netra system.
DRDO is simultaneously working on more advanced versions of the Netra to further enhance India’s airborne surveillance capability. The upcoming mission suite is expected to integrate around 15 airborne sub-systems, supported by several ground-based components. In a related development, DRDO last month selected the Canadian Bombardier Global 6500 business jet as the platform for its ongoing ISTAR programme.
Currently, the IAF operates five AEW&C and AWACS platforms. These include three Beriev A-50 systems based on Russian IL-76 airframes fitted with Israeli sensors, inducted nearly two decades ago, and two operational Netra aircraft. The third Netra remains with DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems for testing and development.
With sustained operational commitments along both the northern and western fronts, the IAF has projected a requirement of at least 12 AEW&C aircraft. A report tabled last year by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence noted that the Air Force has already initiated two separate programmes for six AEW&C aircraft each, in addition to another programme for a special-role aircraft.
In comparison to its regional adversaries, India’s current AEW&C strength remains limited. China operates an extensive fleet that includes Shaanxi KJ-500, KJ-200 and KJ-2000 platforms, while Pakistan fields Chinese ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle aircraft and Swedish Saab 2000 Erieye systems. One of Pakistan’s Erieye platforms was reportedly damaged or lost during Operation Sindoor.
