More ‘Eyes In Sky’ For IAF: India To Acquire Two More Phalcon Airborne Early Warning Systems From Israel
Israeli manufactured ‘Phalcon’ AWACS aircraft of the Indian Air Force. (Pic by Michael Sender/Wikipedia) In a move to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) surveillance capabilities, India is going to sign the long pending deal to acquire two additional Israeli-made PHALCON airborne early warning and control systems (AWACS) aircraft from Israel, The deal valued at around $1 billion presently, was derailed at least a couple of times in the past due to the high costs involved. The report quotes several highly placed sources as stating that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is all set to give its final nod to the deal after extensive inter-ministerial consultations. The deal would entail acquisition of the two AWACS, with the Israeli PHALCON early-warning radar system mounted on Russian Ilyushin-76 heavy-lift aircraft, which will be delivered in three to four years. The two new Phalcons will add to the existing three Phalcon AWACS acquired by IAF between 2009-2011 under a $1.1 bi...