India to develop its own next generation AWACS

India will produce its next generation Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS India).

- S VENKAT NARAYAN

They will be a major force multiplier for the Indian Air Force (IAF), and propel India into a select league of nations with such indigenously developed capability. They include the US, France, China, NATO and Israel.

The government has given a go-ahead to their production. Under the project, expected to cost around INR200 billion, the IAF will get six large AWACS that will be capable of tracking enemy aircraft, ground sensors and other equipment at long distances, besides acting as a flying operations control centre.