Bureaucratic syndrome holds back India’s AEW&Cs
The IAF small AEW&Cs fleet includes three Israeli Phalcon AEW platforms mounted on Il-76 airframes. (Photo: Author)
If India is to remain competitive with its neighbouring powers, it still requires a definitive answer to its critical shortage of AEW&C systems.
India’s delayed quest for procuring critical airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems has continued as neighbours and rivals China and Pakistan surpass its capabilities.
China has at least 60 fixed-wing AEW&Cs while Pakistan presently has nine Saab 2000 Erieye. Its four Chinese-built AEW&Cs ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle are believed to be undergoing a mid-life upgrade and overhaul in Chengdu, China, according to PakDefense.
The Indian Air Force (IAF), meanwhile, requires 18 AEW&Cs. India, however, is far behind its neighbours, with a small fleet that includes three Israeli Phalcon AEW platforms mounted on ageing Il-76 airframes. It has an
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade]()
Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade
The Mid-Life Upgrade agreement comes as Poland makes significant increases in its defence spend as its plans to increase it to 5% of GDP by 2026.
-
![How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape]()
How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape
The use of drones in unconventional ways is accelerating technological advances and countermeasures as military planners try to stay ahead of the drone revolution in military affairs.
-
![Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion]()
Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion
The autonomous software company’s new UK subsidiary is the latest in a line of businesses poised to expand and offer its services to the UK Ministry of Defence and industry, as the country invests more in AI and autonomous technology to deliver the next generation of uncrewed systems.
