Navy considering having its own Tanker and AWACS fleet

[SQ8]

A rotary wing AWACs system is fine for STOBAR carriers like the Vikramditya and IAC-1 where the IN has purchased KA-31s AEWs systems but for ACCs like IAC-2 that will be larger (65,000+ tons) and that will most likely be CATOBAR configured the fixed0wing AWACS systems like the E-2D is the best option as they can fly higher,further, faster and with a more powerful and capable radar system. The E-2D is the most likely candidate for the IAC-2 sir. The increased cost is no real issue for the IN especially when this system will be procured in a few years when the Indian defence budget will be significantly more than it is today and the addtional cost is more than outweighed by the addtional capability of a E-2D like system.


The reason the UK and Russians use roatary wing assets is because of relatively lower cost and the small(ish) carriers the AEW systems will operate from.

Then why not simply purchase a platform that may house the systems of the DRDO AEWCS?
After all, the E-2 comes with another electronics logistical headache.
If it is possible to find a platform that can be made carrier capable(I am confident that the Russians have such a platform sitting somewhere) then it would be more beneficial for the IAF/IN co-operation and for the Indian defense industry.

Moreover, less training and logistics strain at any point even with the optimistic budget figures means money is available for further upgrades to IAC 2 and/or other assets.

 

[Abingdonboy]

I dont think present-day RN/RusN carriers can launch AWACS turboprop/jet aircraft even if they wanted to.

No they use the KA-31 AEW .

Then why not simply purchase a platform that may house the systems of the DRDO AEWCS?
After all, the E-2 comes with another electronics logistical headache.
If it is possible to find a platform that can be made carrier capable(I am confident that the Russians have such a platform sitting somewhere) then it would be more beneficial for the IAF/IN co-operation and for the Indian defense industry.

Moreover, less training and logistics strain at any point even with the optimistic budget figures means money is available for further upgrades to IAC 2 and/or other assets.

Yes possibly for the future ie maybe 2025/7 but the IN is going to want deliveries starting sometime by the end of this decade with the signing of such deals happening 2-3 years before that date hence the window for an fixed-wing AWACS system for the IN to use on the IAC-2 is relatively small 4/5 years so not enough to integrate, develop and test what you have proposed sir.

For IAC-3 and beyond just such a system is feasible but for the IAC-2 it is more than just a stretch.



Logistical nightmare? Maybe but it is what it is. India is inducting so many different types of hardware logistics hardly seem to be the top of anyone's priority list!

 

[sancho]

Sancho bro, the IAC-2 will be a 65k ton CATOBAR carrier, for this AC we definitely need onboard AWACS.

First of all we have to decide about the take off system, then we can see what AWACS aircraft we choose. Also we have to see which aircraft is suitable, since no other country as aircrafts that were operationaly used with catapults than the US, because just like not every fighter can be used with catapults, not every aircraft can do it as well.

The solutions are not expensive as buying E2D's or otherwise and the associated cost of modifying the carrier and its facilites to operate them and otherwise.

Not going to happen, since they far less capable, be it detection range, range of the aircraft, speed, refuelling capability..., if the carrier will be a CATOBAR one, E-2Ds will come fore sure. However, I we were talking about shore based AWACS earlier and here we have more options available, A50, G550, C295 Phalcons, EMB 145 DRDO AWACS, or possible conversions from Airbus. Rotary AWACS aircrafts are no option here.

The reason the UK and Russians use roatary wing assets is because of relatively lower cost and the small(ish) carriers the AEW systems will operate from.

Not because of the costs, but because there area hardly other aircrafts available to take off from an STOBAR carrier, infact only the V22 would, but an AEW version is not developed yet.