Surveillance From The Sky

The Netra AEW&C is now in its 2nd year of service but additional orders for more aircraft have not been forthcoming, writes C SANTHOSH

- C Santhosh

The Indian Air Force (IAF), by virtue of its necessity to always remain prepared for a two-front war, needs to have always access to the best possible reconnaissance and surveillance capability. With the increased ability of modern combat aircraft to switch roles during a sortie, the best available intelligence is required for such aircraft to be able to prosecute an attack on a time critical target in the shortest possible time. It is for this reason that every modern air force has access to a variety of specialised aircraft ranging from Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) to smaller Intelligence, Surveillance And Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms based on turboprop aircraft or larger turbofan powered business jets.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates three A-50I Phalcon AWACS and a single Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) developed EMB145 AEW&C aircraft ‘Netra’, which was inducted into service last year and is now being integrated with the IAF’s Command and Control System.

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