IAF To Deploy AWE&C Along Western Border By 2014

The Indian Air Force plans to deploy the indigenously developed Airborne Early Warning & Control system (AEW&C) along the western borders by 2014. Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne on Thursday made the announcement while taking delivery of the first of three AEW&C from Embraer. “Initially AEW&C will be stationed at the western borders. This will be used for surveillance,” he said. Designed by CABS (Centre for Air-borne Systems), the airborne radars will identify friendly and enemy fighters and cruise missiles and then alert IAF during combat operations. Speaking at a programme at CABS, Browne, said, “The Air Force has already identified locations and work is in progress to build requisite infrastructure at these locations”. In 2007, the IAF and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in a joint venture to manufacture three indigenously built airborne radar systems on Brazil’s Embraer jet, EMG-145, at a cost of Rs 2,157 crore. The first of the three AEW&C arrived in Indian in August 2012, the second and third aircraft are expected to arrive in December and early next year respectively. Browne added that the AEW&C will be used along with the Airborne Warning and Control System based on the Russian IL-76 platform with the Israeli Phalcon Radar. Powered by two Rolls Royce AE 3007 AIE engines, the Embraer aircraft are capable of in-flight refuelling for extended missions and has an operational capacity between 5,000 and 30,000 feet to collect intelligence. It’s maximum payload capacity is 4,480 kg.