India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning to develop a low-cost indigenous radar system that will be similar to or more advanced than the Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).
The new AEWC&S or ‘eye in the sky’ is scheduled for delivery by 2011 and will be worth approximately Rs1,800 crore
The DRDO sees an immense opportunity in the development of these advanced radar systems, as the Indian Air Force is looking to acquire an additional 20 such systems.
The indigenously built radars will also reduce the country’s dependence on Israeli AWACS and create opportunities for Indian defence manufacturers.
The DRDO and other centres supporting the programme have developed software for tactical battle management and signal processing that might be used in the radars.
In May 2009, the IAF took delivery of the AWACS, as a part of a $1.1bn defence deal with Israel.
