DRDO Phalcon style AWACS

Bhoot Pishach

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YES...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap2: :india::clap2:

BC this is called OUT OF THE BOX THINKING.



Six new 'eyes in the sky' for IAF to be built by DRDO on Air India planes

ANI | Updated: Dec 16, 2020 14:46 IST

By Ajit K Dubey

New Delhi [India], December 16 (ANI):

In a major boost for the indigenous defence industry, India is going to make six new Airborne Early Warning and Control planes to be developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on aircraft from Air India to further improve Air Force's surveillance capabilities along borders with China and Pakistan.

Government sources said that as per the discussions on the AEW&C Block 2 aircraft to be developed by the DRDO under a Rs 10,500 crore project, the six aircraft would be acquired from the Air India fleet and modified to fly with a radar that will give 360-degree surveillance capability to the defence forces.

"The six AEW&C block two planes would be highly capable than their predecessor NETRA plane and provide 360-degree coverage deep inside the enemy territory during missions. The government is expected to clear the project soon," government sources told ANI.

The project to build the AEW&C system on existing aircraft from the Air India fleet may also mean that India may not buy the six Airbus 330 transport aircraft planned to be acquired earlier from the European firm, the sources said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation had earlier planned to build six Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) on the Airbus 330 aircraft for which some facilities were planned to be created in Bengaluru.

As per plans, the six new aircraft would be sent to a European destination to the original equipment manufacturer for modification of the planes for installing the radar, the sources said.

Sources said the project has been planned in a way to promote Make in India in defense and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Block-I of the project was delayed beyond the scheduled timelines but with the prior experience under its belt, the Centre for Airborne Studies lab of DRDOis planning to complete it in a shorter timeframe.

The IAF has three PHALCON AWACS systems bought by it from Israel and Russia under which the radar is provided by the Israelis whereas the platform used is the Russian Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft.

The two NETRA aircraft provided by the DRDO have also performed very well in the recent conflicts where they have flown extensively to keep an eye on the enemy activity. The six new 'eyes in the sky' would be stationed at different places in the countries for effective surveillance long both the borders, the sources said. (ANI)
 

WolfPack86

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Six new ‘eyes in the sky’ for IAF to be built by DRDO on Air India planes
Government sources said that as per the discussions on the AEW&C Block 2 aircraft to be developed by the DRDO under a Rs 10,500 crore project, the six aircraft would be acquired from the Air India fleet and modified to fly with a radar that will give 360-degree surveillance capability to the defence forces.

In a major boost for the indigenous defence industry, India is going to make six new Airborne Early Warning and Control planes to be developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on aircraft from Air India to further improve Air Force’s surveillance capabilities along borders with China and Pakistan.

Government sources said that as per the discussions on the AEW&C Block 2 aircraft to be developed by the DRDO under a Rs 10,500 crore project, the six aircraft would be acquired from the Air India fleet and modified to fly with a radar that will give 360-degree surveillance capability to the defence forces.

“The six AEW&C block two planes would be highly capable than their predecessor NETRA plane and provide 360-degree coverage deep inside the enemy territory during missions. The government is expected to clear the project soon,” government sources told ANI.

The project to build the AEW&C system on existing aircraft from the Air India fleet may also mean that India may not buy the six Airbus 330 transport aircraft planned to be acquired earlier from the European firm, the sources said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation had earlier planned to build six Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) on the Airbus 330 aircraft for which some facilities were planned to be created in Bengaluru.

As per plans, the six new aircraft would be sent to a European destination to the original equipment manufacturer for modification of the planes for installing the radar, the sources said.

Sources said the project has been planned in a way to promote Make in India in defense and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Block-I of the project was delayed beyond the scheduled timelines but with the prior experience under its belt, the Centre for Airborne Studies lab of DRDO is planning to complete it in a shorter timeframe.

The IAF has three PHALCON AWACS systems bought by it from Israel and Russia under which the radar is provided by the Israelis whereas the platform used is the Russian Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft.

The two NETRA aircraft provided by the DRDO have also performed very well in the recent conflicts where they have flown extensively to keep an eye on the enemy activity.

The six new ‘eyes in the sky’ would be stationed at different places in the countries for effective surveillance long both the borders, the sources said.
 

VSinghCalhans

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YES...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap2: :india::clap2:

BC this is called OUT OF THE BOX THINKING.



Six new 'eyes in the sky' for IAF to be built by DRDO on Air India planes

ANI | Updated: Dec 16, 2020 14:46 IST

By Ajit K Dubey

New Delhi [India], December 16 (ANI):

In a major boost for the indigenous defence industry, India is going to make six new Airborne Early Warning and Control planes to be developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on aircraft from Air India to further improve Air Force's surveillance capabilities along borders with China and Pakistan.

Government sources said that as per the discussions on the AEW&C Block 2 aircraft to be developed by the DRDO under a Rs 10,500 crore project, the six aircraft would be acquired from the Air India fleet and modified to fly with a radar that will give 360-degree surveillance capability to the defence forces.

"The six AEW&C block two planes would be highly capable than their predecessor NETRA plane and provide 360-degree coverage deep inside the enemy territory during missions. The government is expected to clear the project soon," government sources told ANI.

The project to build the AEW&C system on existing aircraft from the Air India fleet may also mean that India may not buy the six Airbus 330 transport aircraft planned to be acquired earlier from the European firm, the sources said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation had earlier planned to build six Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) on the Airbus 330 aircraft for which some facilities were planned to be created in Bengaluru.

As per plans, the six new aircraft would be sent to a European destination to the original equipment manufacturer for modification of the planes for installing the radar, the sources said.

Sources said the project has been planned in a way to promote Make in India in defense and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Block-I of the project was delayed beyond the scheduled timelines but with the prior experience under its belt, the Centre for Airborne Studies lab of DRDOis planning to complete it in a shorter timeframe.

The IAF has three PHALCON AWACS systems bought by it from Israel and Russia under which the radar is provided by the Israelis whereas the platform used is the Russian Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft.

The two NETRA aircraft provided by the DRDO have also performed very well in the recent conflicts where they have flown extensively to keep an eye on the enemy activity. The six new 'eyes in the sky' would be stationed at different places in the countries for effective surveillance long both the borders, the sources said. (ANI)
Most probably A321 will be transferred to DRDO. Because restructuring is to happen in Europe, and 321 is the heaviest carrier of AI from Airbus .
 

Rajaraja Chola

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Steal from Peter to pay Paul? What aircrafts are being "sold" to IAF? If they are selling it to IAF then it should have good air frame life remaining on the aircrafts. Atleast 10 years. It's not like Air India is in glittering situation. GoI needs to sell AI as well. Does the prospective buyers know this is going to happen?

This is going to end up costlier. By the time the 6th Ac is delivered the 1st life cycle is going to get over.
 

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Steal from Peter to pay Paul? What aircrafts are being "sold" to IAF? If they are selling it to IAF then it should have good air frame life remaining on the aircrafts. Atleast 10 years. It's not like Air India is in glittering situation. GoI needs to sell AI as well. Does the prospective buyers know this is going to happen?

This is going to end up costlier. By the time the 6th Ac is delivered the 1st life cycle is going to get over.
IAF needs large AWACS now, in numbers, and without having to pay a bomb upfront for new aircraft.
This makes complete sense.
 

Maharaj samudragupt

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Steal from Peter to pay Paul? What aircrafts are being "sold" to IAF? If they are selling it to IAF then it should have good air frame life remaining on the aircrafts. Atleast 10 years. It's not like Air India is in glittering situation. GoI needs to sell AI as well. Does the prospective buyers know this is going to happen?

This is going to end up costlier. By the time the 6th Ac is delivered the 1st life cycle is going to get over.
Sirji, I wanted to ask you that do these AWACS aircraft have more durable airframe than simple airliner ?
 

Maharaj samudragupt

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Rajaraja Chola

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IAF needs large AWACS now, in numbers, and without having to pay a bomb upfront for new aircraft.
This makes complete sense.
Would make sense if the Awacs would be delivered next year. We took more time for R&D even on Embraer platforms. It takes time to do testing.
Same would go for the new aircraft. Let's say the Ac has 15 years time frame. It has to go through refurbishment either 6 at the same time or 1 or 2 a year.

Scenario 1. Let's say the Airbus refurbish the insides and outside to mil standards for all 6 aircrafts in one year. (refurb time is not time consuming). Or let's for argument 2 years.

When will the radome be ready? What's the lead time for manufacturing, installation and testing the radome on lead aircraft? I would say atleast 2-3 years minimum.. only after that duplication will take place. By the time first Ac probably enters service it would have just 10-12 years of life left. By the time the 6th one enters service, all aircrafts would have less than 10 years of service years left.

Scenario 2 is when IAF sends 2 Ac for refurbishment at a time. Same thing except by the time last Ac enters service the first aircrafts will retire. IAF would not gain significant capabilities over long periods. Only for a short time.

Course it's better than nothing. The money could have been spent decisively on long term solutions.
 

Longewala

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Would make sense if the Awacs would be delivered next year. We took more time for R&D even on Embraer platforms. It takes time to do testing.
Same would go for the new aircraft. Let's say the Ac has 15 years time frame. It has to go through refurbishment either 6 at the same time or 1 or 2 a year.

Scenario 1. Let's say the Airbus refurbish the insides and outside to mil standards for all 6 aircrafts in one year. (refurb time is not time consuming). Or let's for argument 2 years.

When will the radome be ready? What's the lead time for manufacturing, installation and testing the radome on lead aircraft? I would say atleast 2-3 years minimum.. only after that duplication will take place. By the time first Ac probably enters service it would have just 10-12 years of life left. By the time the 6th one enters service, all aircrafts would have less than 10 years of service years left.

Scenario 2 is when IAF sends 2 Ac for refurbishment at a time. Same thing except by the time last Ac enters service the first aircrafts will retire. IAF would not gain significant capabilities over long periods. Only for a short time.

Course it's better than nothing. The money could have been spent decisively on long term solutions.
I don't disagree with your analysis.
I just feel the alternative is indeed... nothing, if we get into a process where we have to choose and buy new aircraft and let MoD into the loop.
And even if not ideal, any decent, even 15-year solution is essential as this is one technology where we cannot afford nothing.
 

Tridev123

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Would make sense if the Awacs would be delivered next year. We took more time for R&D even on Embraer platforms. It takes time to do testing.
Same would go for the new aircraft. Let's say the Ac has 15 years time frame. It has to go through refurbishment either 6 at the same time or 1 or 2 a year.

Scenario 1. Let's say the Airbus refurbish the insides and outside to mil standards for all 6 aircrafts in one year. (refurb time is not time consuming). Or let's for argument 2 years.

When will the radome be ready? What's the lead time for manufacturing, installation and testing the radome on lead aircraft? I would say atleast 2-3 years minimum.. only after that duplication will take place. By the time first Ac probably enters service it would have just 10-12 years of life left. By the time the 6th one enters service, all aircrafts would have less than 10 years of service years left.

Scenario 2 is when IAF sends 2 Ac for refurbishment at a time. Same thing except by the time last Ac enters service the first aircrafts will retire. IAF would not gain significant capabilities over long periods. Only for a short time.

Course it's better than nothing. The money could have been spent decisively on long term solutions.
You have raised very relevant questions which should be answered by the decision makers. The indigenous AWACS will be in operation for the next two decades at least, of course being upgraded periodically.

Using old aircraft with little residual life would be counter productive. Also the engines on newer aircraft are more fuel efficient, more powerful and less maintenance intensive.

An proper cost-benefit analysis should be done to arrive at the best solution.
 

Maharaj samudragupt

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You have raised very relevant questions which should be answered by the decision makers. The indigenous AWACS will be in operation for the next two decades at least, of course being upgraded periodically.

Using old aircraft with little residual life would be counter productive. Also the engines on newer aircraft are more fuel efficient, more powerful and less maintenance intensive.

An proper cost-benefit analysis should be done to arrive at the best solution.
I don't think so , sirji.
Air India or jet must have got some recent inductions ( jet airways crashed due to massive fleet expansion )
Many planes were delivered which didn't even fly more than once or twice on commercial scale .
 

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