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DRDO Phalcon style AWACS
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IAF’s AWACS Purchase from Israel, Russia on hold due to price hike
Indian Air Force’s (IAF) plans to acquire two new Airborne Early Warning Systems (AWACS) ‘eyes in the sky’ from Israel and Russia have witnessed a steep hike in price of the surveillance platforms, forcing the government to put the project on hold.
India had acquired three AWACS systems in 2003 in which the Russian Ilyushin-76 aircraft were equipped with two Israel-made sophisticated radars at the cost of $1.1 billion (over Rs 7,035 crore) to carry out surveillance of enemy aircraft, drones and cruise missiles at ranges up to 400-500 km inside their territory.
“The price of the two new AWACS has been quoted very high. Vendors have asked for much more as compared to the cost of the three planes bought earlier. It cannot be agreed to and that is why the programme has been stalled,” senior government sources told Mail Today.
“The main reason behind the steep jump in the price is the almost three-fold increase in the price of the IL-76 planes, on which the radars have to be mounted,” sources said. It was earlier expected that the deal would be clinched at the time of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel earlier this year, but it could not be completed.
The issue over the high price has been holding the deal for a long time. On several past occasions the issue of acquiring the AWACs has been coming up at meeting of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is the apex body of the Defence ministry to acquire weapon systems for the armed forces. India has also decided to develop an indigenous AWACS as the DAC has given clearance to a proposal to acquire two Airbus-330 planes and build an AWACS, which can provide 360-degree surveillance like the Israeli radar.
The project would start with two planes, which are likely to take five to six years to be completed and once they are successful, the DRDO would take sanction for six more aircraft under the programme.
The process of completing trials of DRDO-developed Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) aircraft is on. These are smaller in size and have 240-degree coverage. AEWC planes have been deployed at Bathinda and undergoing trials, after which they would be used for operational flying by the service.
Both Pakistan and China have an edge over India in terms of the surveillance equipment, as China has more than 20 of such AWACS planes, both new and old. Pakistan acquired four AEW&C surveillance aircraft four to five years ago from Sweden and has also started taking the Chinese AWACS planes in its force.
A number of other projects of the IAF are also stuck with different vendors due to price hike issue. This includes the Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft planes for the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team and the Indo-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft programme.
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Indian Air Force’s (IAF) plans to acquire two new Airborne Early Warning Systems (AWACS) ‘eyes in the sky’ from Israel and Russia have witnessed a steep hike in price of the surveillance platforms, forcing the government to put the project on hold.
India had acquired three AWACS systems in 2003 in which the Russian Ilyushin-76 aircraft were equipped with two Israel-made sophisticated radars at the cost of $1.1 billion (over Rs 7,035 crore) to carry out surveillance of enemy aircraft, drones and cruise missiles at ranges up to 400-500 km inside their territory.
“The price of the two new AWACS has been quoted very high. Vendors have asked for much more as compared to the cost of the three planes bought earlier. It cannot be agreed to and that is why the programme has been stalled,” senior government sources told Mail Today.
“The main reason behind the steep jump in the price is the almost three-fold increase in the price of the IL-76 planes, on which the radars have to be mounted,” sources said. It was earlier expected that the deal would be clinched at the time of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel earlier this year, but it could not be completed.
The issue over the high price has been holding the deal for a long time. On several past occasions the issue of acquiring the AWACs has been coming up at meeting of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is the apex body of the Defence ministry to acquire weapon systems for the armed forces. India has also decided to develop an indigenous AWACS as the DAC has given clearance to a proposal to acquire two Airbus-330 planes and build an AWACS, which can provide 360-degree surveillance like the Israeli radar.
The project would start with two planes, which are likely to take five to six years to be completed and once they are successful, the DRDO would take sanction for six more aircraft under the programme.
The process of completing trials of DRDO-developed Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) aircraft is on. These are smaller in size and have 240-degree coverage. AEWC planes have been deployed at Bathinda and undergoing trials, after which they would be used for operational flying by the service.
Both Pakistan and China have an edge over India in terms of the surveillance equipment, as China has more than 20 of such AWACS planes, both new and old. Pakistan acquired four AEW&C surveillance aircraft four to five years ago from Sweden and has also started taking the Chinese AWACS planes in its force.
A number of other projects of the IAF are also stuck with different vendors due to price hike issue. This includes the Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft planes for the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team and the Indo-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft programme.
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sthf
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Fuck it. Buy A330 instead. Better range and better service. Last thing anybody wants to hear is "Russia ne humein loot liya".
NeXoft007
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All thanks to lazyass bureaucrats. Now its likely the plans for 2 more Phalcon AWACS will be SCRAPPED too since IL-76's price is hiked by almost 3 times.
.
Even the indigenous production of C-295 which is qualified for Phalcon AWACS didn't start.
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Even the indigenous production of C-295 which is qualified for Phalcon AWACS didn't start.
Flame Thrower
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Does this results in increase in purchase of Netra!?
Or
Push harder for C-295 system!?
Or
Push harder for C-295 system!?
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It will surely increase the the number of DRDO netra along with the fastrack DRDO's AWACS program based on Airbus A330.
Also, these hikes in cost pushes us towards self-reliance in defense technologies....
Kalki_2018
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IL-76 is dead end for IAF. Go for newer platforms.
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It is better to buy commercial airliners as parts will be easy to come by.
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And these commercial aircrafts are designed for long endurance and mileage. Excellent for staying up in the air for long duration. India also has thousands of aircrafts owned by Indian companies to be used if needed for spare parts or additional AEWACS
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Next-Gen A-330 AWACS to have mid-air refuelling capability
IANS|
Updated: Nov 30, 2017, 02.56 PM IST
AWACS have a 240 degree scanning capability, which means it scans the area on both sides, but not in the front or back.
NEW DELHI: The next-generation airborne early warning and control system (AWACS), with a 360-degree scan being developed by the DRDO, would also double up as an air-to-air refueller following a request by the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to a top DRDOofficial.
The IAF, which is bearing around 80 per cent of the project's cost, had asked Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) to equip Airbus A330 wide-bodied AWACS aircraft with refuelling capability.
"Negotiations with Airbus had been completed on the basis of the in-principal approval given by the government and an RFP (request for proposal) that was floated. We will be buying six aircraft, and may buy two more under the option clause later," S. Christopher, DRDO chief, told IANS.
The Airbus A-330, a medium to long-range wide-body twin-engined jet, which emerged as the single bidder for the tender floated by India, is likely to be the platform for the next generation AWACS systems, which will double up as mid-air refuellers.
"Adding this refuelling capacity will give a multi-functional role to the platform. It will also be economic as the cost will be around 36 per cent lower," Christopher said.
As the proposal was put to the air force, it asked DRDO if it was possible to include air-to-air refuelling. "The AWACS fly with buddy aircraft to protect it, which can also be fuelled by the same aircraft," he said.
Since the Airbus A-330 had already an in-principal approval for the AWACS system, the DRDO did not want to go through the process again which may have resulted in cost escalation of the platform.
The DRDO official said a "tech scan" of the platform was carried out, and it was found that the Airbus A-330 could be used for both purposes. The committee undertaking the tech scan had a member from the DRDO, apart from the IAF and the defence ministry.
The IAF at present has two AWACS systems -- the Israeli Phalcon AWACS on the Russian IL-76 and an indigenous system mounted on a Brazilian Embraer-145 that was handed over to IAF by DRDO at the Aero India 2017. Two more Embraer aircraft are being fitted with the system.
The IAF at present operates six IL-78 planes for air-to-air refuelling and has a requirement for more. Incidentally, in 2016, India had scrapped a deal for acquisition of six Airbus A-330 mid-air refuelling aircraft.
The indigenous AWACS have a 240 degree scanning capability, which means it scans the area on both sides, but not in the front or back.
The new system being developed by DRDO would have AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars with 360 degree capability, which can detect incoming aerial threats like hostile fighters, drones and cruise missiles from 400-km away. India will be only the second country in the world after Israel to develop such a system.
The new system is scheduled to be ready in seven years.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...efuelling-capability/articleshow/61862710.cms
credits @cobra commando
IANS|
Updated: Nov 30, 2017, 02.56 PM IST
AWACS have a 240 degree scanning capability, which means it scans the area on both sides, but not in the front or back.
NEW DELHI: The next-generation airborne early warning and control system (AWACS), with a 360-degree scan being developed by the DRDO, would also double up as an air-to-air refueller following a request by the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to a top DRDOofficial.
The IAF, which is bearing around 80 per cent of the project's cost, had asked Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) to equip Airbus A330 wide-bodied AWACS aircraft with refuelling capability.
"Negotiations with Airbus had been completed on the basis of the in-principal approval given by the government and an RFP (request for proposal) that was floated. We will be buying six aircraft, and may buy two more under the option clause later," S. Christopher, DRDO chief, told IANS.
The Airbus A-330, a medium to long-range wide-body twin-engined jet, which emerged as the single bidder for the tender floated by India, is likely to be the platform for the next generation AWACS systems, which will double up as mid-air refuellers.
"Adding this refuelling capacity will give a multi-functional role to the platform. It will also be economic as the cost will be around 36 per cent lower," Christopher said.
As the proposal was put to the air force, it asked DRDO if it was possible to include air-to-air refuelling. "The AWACS fly with buddy aircraft to protect it, which can also be fuelled by the same aircraft," he said.
Since the Airbus A-330 had already an in-principal approval for the AWACS system, the DRDO did not want to go through the process again which may have resulted in cost escalation of the platform.
The DRDO official said a "tech scan" of the platform was carried out, and it was found that the Airbus A-330 could be used for both purposes. The committee undertaking the tech scan had a member from the DRDO, apart from the IAF and the defence ministry.
The IAF at present has two AWACS systems -- the Israeli Phalcon AWACS on the Russian IL-76 and an indigenous system mounted on a Brazilian Embraer-145 that was handed over to IAF by DRDO at the Aero India 2017. Two more Embraer aircraft are being fitted with the system.
The IAF at present operates six IL-78 planes for air-to-air refuelling and has a requirement for more. Incidentally, in 2016, India had scrapped a deal for acquisition of six Airbus A-330 mid-air refuelling aircraft.
The indigenous AWACS have a 240 degree scanning capability, which means it scans the area on both sides, but not in the front or back.
The new system being developed by DRDO would have AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars with 360 degree capability, which can detect incoming aerial threats like hostile fighters, drones and cruise missiles from 400-km away. India will be only the second country in the world after Israel to develop such a system.
The new system is scheduled to be ready in seven years.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...efuelling-capability/articleshow/61862710.cms
credits @cobra commando
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which one ?
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DRDO AEWACS on Embraer EJ145 aircraft had 240 degrees AESA radar.
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It was designed as 240* AEW&CS and it is still working in 240* area ( 120* on either side )
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I meant that LRDE finally made a 360 degree AEWACS radar instead of just 240 degrees
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Hope, you guys missed the thing..
That unnamed DRDO official pointing out for a AWACS-cum-Refueller.
Quoted text from already shared article..
That unnamed DRDO official pointing out for a AWACS-cum-Refueller.
Quoted text from already shared article..
Next-Gen A-330 AWACS to have mid-air refuelling capability
IANS|
Updated: Nov 30, 2017, 02.56 PM IST
AWACS have a 240 degree scanning capability, which means it scans the area on both sides, but not in the front or back.
NEW DELHI: The next-generation airborne early warning and control system (AWACS), with a 360-degree scan being developed by the DRDO, would also double up as an air-to-air refueller following a request by the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to a top DRDOofficial.
The IAF, which is bearing around 80 per cent of the project's cost, had asked Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) to equip Airbus A330 wide-bodied AWACS aircraft with refuelling capability.
"Negotiations with Airbus had been completed on the basis of the in-principal approval given by the government and an RFP (request for proposal) that was floated. We will be buying six aircraft, and may buy two more under the option clause later," S. Christopher, DRDO chief, told IANS.
The Airbus A-330, a medium to long-range wide-body twin-engined jet, which emerged as the single bidder for the tender floated by India, is likely to be the platform for the next generation AWACS systems, which will double up as mid-air refuellers.
"Adding this refuelling capacity will give a multi-functional role to the platform. It will also be economic as the cost will be around 36 per cent lower," Christopher said.
As the proposal was put to the air force, it asked DRDO if it was possible to include air-to-air refuelling. "The AWACS fly with buddy aircraft to protect it, which can also be fuelled by the same aircraft," he said.
Since the Airbus A-330 had already an in-principal approval for the AWACS system, the DRDO did not want to go through the process again which may have resulted in cost escalation of the platform.
The DRDO official said a "tech scan" of the platform was carried out, and it was found that the Airbus A-330 could be used for both purposes. The committee undertaking the tech scan had a member from the DRDO, apart from the IAF and the defence ministry.
The IAF at present has two AWACS systems -- the Israeli Phalcon AWACS on the Russian IL-76 and an indigenous system mounted on a Brazilian Embraer-145 that was handed over to IAF by DRDO at the Aero India 2017. Two more Embraer aircraft are being fitted with the system.
The IAF at present operates six IL-78 planes for air-to-air refuelling and has a requirement for more. Incidentally, in 2016, India had scrapped a deal for acquisition of six Airbus A-330 mid-air refuelling aircraft.
The indigenous AWACS have a 240 degree scanning capability, which means it scans the area on both sides, but not in the front or back.
The new system being developed by DRDO would have AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars with 360 degree capability, which can detect incoming aerial threats like hostile fighters, drones and cruise missiles from 400-km away. India will be only the second country in the world after Israel to develop such a system.
The new system is scheduled to be ready in seven years.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...efuelling-capability/articleshow/61862710.cms
credits @cobra commando
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No, I didn't miss that either. I just found it as a jugaad and not a technological progress and hence didn't mention it. I was pleased by the 360 degree AESA radar
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Technologically, it is possible to have both AWACS & Refueller on sane airframe, as either A330 MRTT also have lot of space available for cargo/troops.
But operationally, It is quite difficult but possible if IAF plan to induct them in large numbers.
Anyways, non-rotating Radome require minimum 3 radar arrays to cover-up 360° coverage and it is available for DRDO's A330 AWACS...
