India was due to sign in New Delhi on 10 October a deal to acquire three Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Phalcon airborne early warning aircraft. The AEW systems will be mounted on Russian-built Ilyushin Il-76s.
Russian industry will perform part of the modification and will receive royalties on any further aircraft sold to export customers.
IAI and the Indian air force have held talks over late changes to system configuration. The extra features have raised the price India will pay to $1. 25 billion.
IAI will not provide details, but it is understood that the radar - the Phalcon's main sensor - will be capable of detecting and identifying targets at longer ranges.
Source: Flight International
