India clears path for novel AEW solution
India has been seeking new AEW aircraft for a long time — bolting a radar onto ex-commercial jets is now seen as the way forward.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) appears to have overcome a stalemate and found an alternative in its tortuous search for additional AEW aircraft. On 17 December, the MoD approved the idea of converting six airliners previously operated by flag carrier Air India.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit airlines hard; India thinks it could convert half a dozen surplus-to-requirement A320/A321 jets into much-needed AEW platforms for $1.4 billion.
After the airliners are refurbished to IAF specifications in France, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would integrate indigenous sensors and AESA radars onto the aircraft. Taking this route, it could take
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