58. AWACS

♤ It is basically an aircraft fitted with sophisticated radar and can be said to be radar on the move.

♤ India plans to develop its own Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft as part of the modernization program of the Indian air force (IAF).

♤ AWACS are meant as force multipliers for specific area cover and not for surveillance of the entire space of our country. It would increase India's ability to patrol and act at extended ranges.

♤ AWACS is described as an ‘Eye in the Sky’ as it can carry out surveillance at about 400-km range under all-weather situations, and to lock on to 60 targets at a time simultaneously.

♤ They are capable of detecting hostile aircraft, cruise missiles and other incoming aerial threat far before ground-based radars.

♤ India already has AWACS aircraft under development using the Russian IL-76 platform and the Israeli Phalcon Radar, and three in service.

♤ The AWACS with special electronic observation devices atop aircraft will complement the smaller and homegrown AEW&CS (airborne early warning and control system).