Consultant Picture
The Ministry of Defence has issued a request for info (RFI) to obtain six Airborne Early Warning and Management Techniques (AEW&CS), together with related floor gear for the Indian Air Drive (IAF).
The supply, aimed toward bolstering the IAF’s surveillance functionality, is open just for registered Indian distributors and Indian unique gear producers, based on the RFI that was issued on July 19.
The AEW&CS supplies long-range radar detection. Mounted on plane, it’s a system that contains a radar, digital surveillance measures, communication assist measures, command & management, battle administration system and networking by means of information hyperlinks.
The IAF’s requirement is for jet-engine plane with an endurance of a minimum of eight hours together with air-to-air refuelling functionality, operational altitude of 40,000 ft and above, newest navigation techniques and cruise velocity greater than Mach 0.7.
The system’s main radar ought to have a 360° protection and the aptitude to detect and monitor large-bodied plane to sluggish unmanned aerial autos having a low-radar cross part at ranges above 550 km and flying at heights starting from 100 ft to 65,000 ft.
An identification buddy and foe system, self-protection digital warfare suite, information hyperlinks and a mission suite to allow seamless integration of AEW&CS with the IAF’s command and management grid for network-centric operations are amongst different necessities listed out within the RFI.
Distributors can supply a platform that’s already customised as an AEW&CS, or modify an appropriate plane based on specs laid out by the IAF. A pre-owned plane will also be used for the aim.
In line with sources, the IAF has projected a requirement of 12 AEW&CS, also called ‘eyes within the skies’ to successfully monitor the airspace alongside the borders. At current, it has a fleet of three ageing Russian A-50s, primarily based on the IL-76 airframe with Israeli avionics and two Netra plane developed indigenously by the Defence Analysis and Growth Organisation (DRDO).
The DRDO can also be actively pursuing an AEW&CS programme and is within the means of creating a brand new, extra superior mission suite than the present one within the Netra. Inducted in 2017, a Netra plane was deployed in a fight scenario for the primary time through the Balakot operation in 2019.
China, Pak Higher Geared up
The IAF’s current fleet of 5 AEW&CS is comparatively small as in comparison with India’s two hostile neighbours
China has a fleet of 20 Shaanxi KJ-500 20s, 4 Shaanxi KJ-200s and 4 KJ-2000s, whereas Pakistan has 4 Chinese language ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagles and eight Swedish Saab 2000 Erieye platforms