The Indian air force is considering equipping its Mikoyan MiG-27 Floggers with an Elta synthetic aperture radar (SAR) pod, and with an electronic warfare suite also developed by the Israeli company.
Elta, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), has signed major deals with India in recent months, following a change in US arms policy towards the country.
IAI refuses to comment on the recent agreements with India, but sources say that more deals between the Indian air force and Israeli defence companies are imminent. These may include airborne early warning equipment and advanced weapon systems.
The Israeli specialist electronics company has developed a podded SAR system, compatible with fighter-sized aircraft such as the MiG-27 (Flight International, 21-27 April). SAR systems allow a detailed ground picture to be built up, but are usually carried on larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 707-based Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System.
Source: Flight International
