India has rejected a proposal to acquire six ship-based Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 2000s and has begun evaluating potential shore-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) solutions.
Industry sources say the Indian navy has ruled out buying the Hawkeye for embarked operations as it would have to make major compromises on the equipment that it could fit on the aircraft, but say the type is still being considered for operation from land bases.
The service received a detailed technical briefing on the Hawkeye 2000 from the US Navy last month and Northrop remains confident of securing an order, depite facing new competition. The USN says Washington first provided New Delhi with pricing and availability data on six Hawkeye 2000s in 2004, and that, while this has since expired, the governments “re-engaged” in mid-2005. New information could be supplied soon, possibly leading to a letter of intent, it says.
Embraer has also briefed the Indian navy on its EMB-145-based AEW&C system and is confident of selling several missionised aircraft. The company last year delivered five ERJ-145s to the Indian air force and border patrol for VIP duties and is also working with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to deliver a new three-aircraft AEW&C solution for the Indian air force, including the local development of a phased array radar (Flight International, 15-21 February 2005). Embraer says it is still in technical discussions with the DRDO, but that a firm contract could be signed later this year.
Saab also hopes to enter the navy’s AEW&C competition, but is considered a long shot as it is concluding a deal to sell a Saab 2000-based solution to Pakistan, with at least five aircraft to be delivered from 2008.
The Indian navy must weigh its AEW&C programme against requirements for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, while the Indian coastguard is also evaluating potential maritime surveillance solutions under a tender process launched in 2004. Industry sources expect New Delhi to select two or three platforms to cover all four requirements, with a priority list now being prepared.
Manufacturers say the maritime surveillance/patrol requirement is likely to receive the highest priority, although it is unclear when the acquisition will move forward. The navy has already received briefings on several potential maritime patrol aircraft from companies including ATR, Dassault, Embraer and Saab, but has yet to issue a formal tender.
BRENDAN SOBIE/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
