Airborne Early Warning Systems - A-50EI Phalcon, DRDO Netra AEW&C, DRDO AWACS
- Thread starter Ashwin
- Start date
What is the update on IAF ISTAR plane
3 planes are ordered | Bombardier 6500 based platforms
This comes when IAF and IA have been using P-8I Nepture for ISTAR across LAC / LOC and IB
In May 2025 , P-8 dodged some lock by PAF also
Moreover, can we add SOJ to these 6500 jets , like how Turkey did
Also why a token number like 3 , for a country sized India ( we will ofcourse have Hermes 900 , Reapers and all but still need many ISTAR and AWACS )
3 planes are ordered | Bombardier 6500 based platforms
This comes when IAF and IA have been using P-8I Nepture for ISTAR across LAC / LOC and IB
In May 2025 , P-8 dodged some lock by PAF also
Moreover, can we add SOJ to these 6500 jets , like how Turkey did
Also why a token number like 3 , for a country sized India ( we will ofcourse have Hermes 900 , Reapers and all but still need many ISTAR and AWACS )
Item: Development, IV&V, Integration and Testing of Software for Primary Radar System
LRDE has undertaken the Primary Radar for AEW&C Mark II project, this system is the improved and advanced version of 'Netra', with improved range performance, The scope of this file is to develop software for Primary Radar of AEW&C Mark II with reusable architecture framework.
Delivery Period: 48 months from the date of contract including one week for acceptance of item by LRDE.
LRDE has undertaken the Primary Radar for AEW&C Mark II project, this system is the improved and advanced version of 'Netra', with improved range performance, The scope of this file is to develop software for Primary Radar of AEW&C Mark II with reusable architecture framework.
Delivery Period: 48 months from the date of contract including one week for acceptance of item by LRDE.
The timeline is 2030 even for Mk1a
Same for Mk2 and Mk3 is much later on A330
IAF must order some stop gap second hand AWACS like retired and second hand.
Very precarious position IAF is int
Same for Mk2 and Mk3 is much later on A330
IAF must order some stop gap second hand AWACS like retired and second hand.
Very precarious position IAF is int
MK2 is at an more advanced stages of execution than MK1A
It's unclear if Mk1A will even happen. RFP is supposed to go out soon, but it's unclear if Emb has the second-hand jets available.
The assumption has been Mk1As will be in service long before Mk2, but Mk1A has languished for so long that Mk2 has taken the lead.
The assumption has been Mk1As will be in service long before Mk2, but Mk1A has languished for so long that Mk2 has taken the lead.
Some years back, Embraer had presented an AEWC variant of its Praetor P600 bizjet with an Elta radar (plank array similar to Netra mk1). That might be an option if EMB-145s were not available on the global market.
A faster option would be to transfer and convert the 3 +1 birds in service with the IAFs VVIP sqn and the BSF respectively.
Just buy some globaleyes or E-7 Wedgetails.
We missied the window with the remaining 2 PHALCON AEWC and they are prohibitively costly.
Mk1A being on the same platform is the point of its existence. Low risk, fast induction. With so much time spent, we are dealing with the sunk cost fallacy. If we had to go for a new platform, we would have expanded Mk2s instead.
RFP to delivery of Mk1A is merely 2-4 years. If the RFP comes out this year, and the jets are available, all 6 jets will be operational before 2030, post which Mk2 deliveries will commence, ie, if Mk1A is not delayed further.
Netra Mk1A and Mk2 are literally following the process of LCA Mk1A and Mk2.
Don't see the point though. It would only mean we will have 4 less AWACS until alternatives arrive.
Western stuff will not fully integrate into the IACCS due to ToT limitations. We need 100% access to software for integration in depth. That's why we indigenize Israeli radars for our BMD too.
We can't waste time dealing with foreign tech considering the urgency of the situation. My previous post explains that.
AWACS-India on A330s will be the next big thing.
Neither the GlobalEye nor the Wedgetails are coming any sooner than the Netra Mk2, also they will require significant and cost prohibitive modifications to plug into IACCS.
But aren't there like more than 1000 ERJ-145 flying across the world with numerous commercial operators?
Going back on this thread a couple of pages led me to this:
While the acquisition of six Embraers from Brazil is already a done deal (the request for purchase or RFP, already in the process), there are changes in the paperwork that require DAC clearance. These are used planes and on them will be fitted the Netra, the airborne warning and control system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation).
The problem is we need the militarized version, which was built in much smaller numbers, less than 25. And that's not happening.
Converting a civilian version to military, especially AWACS, requires a lot of work. And it's possible that not everything necessary can be done, and the aircraft itself may end up being subpar overall compared to a new build. You never know how it's gonna go until it's flying.
Second-hand means we will need to further reinforce the structure and perform life extension.
It really depends on the quality of jets the IAF/DRDO has chosen. If it works, it works, and that's enough.
The Praetor 600 can apparently be modified relatively easily on the same lines as Emb-145. The 2 airframes are reportedly quite similar.
If the cost/tech factors didn't line up, Embraer wouldn't have pitched P600 to the lower tier AEWC market.
Indian Air Force scouts for used E145s for AEW conversion
The Indian Air Force (IFC, Delhi International) has turned to the market for used E145s to convert into EMB-145SM airborne early warning and control system...
www.ch-aviation.com
The Praetor is much smaller jet than ERJ-145 ( a regional jet v/s a smaller private jet )The Praetor 600 can apparently be modified relatively easily on the same lines as Emb-145. The 2 airframes are reportedly quite similar.
If the cost/tech factors didn't line up, Embraer wouldn't have pitched P600 to the lower tier AEWC market.
Indian Air Force scouts for used E145s for AEW conversion
The Indian Air Force (IFC, Delhi International) has turned to the market for used E145s to convert into EMB-145SM airborne early warning and control system...
It doesn;t have the weight class or dimensions for Netra Mk1a radar
Attachments
The Praetor 600 can apparently be modified relatively easily on the same lines as Emb-145. The 2 airframes are reportedly quite similar.
If the cost/tech factors didn't line up, Embraer wouldn't have pitched P600 to the lower tier AEWC market.
Indian Air Force scouts for used E145s for AEW conversion
The Indian Air Force (IFC, Delhi International) has turned to the market for used E145s to convert into EMB-145SM airborne early warning and control system...
Praetor 600 is a different aircraft with a different engine. Changing the platform defeats the purpose of Mk1A, which is to get new capabilities in at lower cost and be operationalized really fast.
Praetor's militarized version only exists on paper as concept, it has to be funded. They want India to fund it, and developing this jet will take time. If we had time, we would have just ordered the more capable Mk2s in larger numbers.
Mk1A solely exists to buy time, the same as LCA Mk1A. Mk2s provide the actual capabilities needed in both programs. Switching to Praetor at this point is like importing Gripen C/D and sticking our stuff on it. We are starved for time but not that desperate.
In that case, there's no better option than repurposing the existing VVIP Emb-145s that the IAF already has.
we have gained & maintained a very good reputation.
