The Indian government has approved a proposal for the indigenous development of a mini-airborne early warning and control system (AWACS), writes Shyam Ravindran.
The decision comes at a time when Pakistan has struck a deal with Sweden to mount Ericsson's Erieye radar on Pakistan's Saab 2000s for use as early warning and command and control aircraft.
India's state-owned Center for Airborne Systems (CABS) at Bangalore has been chosen to lead development of the homegrown AWACS, which will use the Embraer EMB-145 platform. The Defence Research and Development Organisation will also be involved in the design and development of the radar and other subsystems.
CABS will build three mini-AWACS over the next five years, costing about $435 million. The primary systems and subsystems of the mini-AWACS will consist of radar, identification friend or foe interrogator, electronic support measures, operator display consoles with tactical software, microwave datalink and air-to-air voice and data channels.
It will also have satellite communication links and search and rescue capabilities.
Source: Flight International
