Two Additional Phalcon AWACS for Indian Air Force: Press Trust of India

The Press Trust of India today reported that the Indian Air Force will look to purchase two more Phalcon AWACS. These are in addition to the three Phalcon AWACS procured earlier. The IAF currently operates the IAI EL/M-2075 Phalcon AWACS radar on an Ilyushin Il-76 platform. A total of 3 such systems have been ordered of which two have been delivered while the delivery of the third is expected by December 2010.

The IAI EL/M-2075 Phalcon is an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) radar system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elta Electronics Industries of Israel. Its primary objective is to provide intelligence to maintain air superiority and conduct surveillance. The Federation of American Scientists is quoted to have stated that the Phalcon was the most advanced AEW&C system. The system is currently in-service with four countries–Israel, India, Chile and Singapore.

The PTI report also mentions that in the long run, the Indian Air Force looks to operate ten additional AWAC systems. However it is not clear if these will be Phalcon AWACS or AWACS developed by the DRDO. DRDO is working on an AWAC system to be built upon Embraer-145 jets. Three Embraer-145 jets are being acquired for USD $210 million from Brazil.