DRDO developed Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system mounted on Brazilian Embraer EMB-145I aircraft will be handed over to IAF this June and Second aircraft in September this year. Both aircrafts have undergone extensive trails in various forward airbases of India air force, DRDO now wants IAF to explore further option to purchase more aircrafts.
DRDO and IAF in principal have approval to purchase additional 5 aircrafts over 3 already contracted with Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer while third aircraft will be delivered to DRDO by July and according to sources close to idrw.org third aircraft might be used by DRDO as Testbed to test bigger AWACS radar components for “AWACS India” programme and might remain engineering prototype with them .
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has approached the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab, for the joint development of AEW&C system for exporting it to South American countries. DRDO already had exhibited the plane during an air show in Bahrain last year, which generated few inquiries from Asian countries.
DRDO already has been awarded the contract to develop larger full-blown futuristic AWACS (airborne warning and control system) program under “AWACS India” program. Airbus Defence & Space was only bidder which offered Airbus A330 fitted with a radome which might further delay the Project.
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DRDO awaits further orders for AEW&C aircraft
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