The Indian Eyes in Sky : The Ambitious AWACS Program

[Chanakyaa]

The Indian Eyes in Sky
The Ambitious AWACS Program

In recent years India has been shifting toward aircraft that would give it the ability to patrol and act at extended ranges. In January 2004, India and Israel signed a $1.1 billion contract for 3 Phalcon airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, as part of a $1.5 billion tripartite agreement with Russia. With the arrival of its first IL-76 Phalcon, India joined the global ranks of AWACS operators.

The aircraft has to monitor huge swathes of Indian airspace, intercept communications and log radar frequencies, add some ground surveillance, and help command IAF responses. By 2012 India announced that it wanted to follow up on that procurement with native capabilities.

In parallel, India has moved to implement AWACS capabilities on a smaller platform, in order to provide broader aircraft coverage of its territory. The goal there is to field a Tier 2 platform based on Embraer’s ERJ-145 jet, and Indian radar and electronics, allowing India to join the global ranks of AWACS designers. Just to make things interesting, their arch-rival Pakistan offers a contrasting case study, with quicker fielding of off-the shelf buys from China (Y-8 based ZDK-03 ) and Sweden (Saab 2000 Erieye).

India’s AWACS: Platforms & Programs​

Israel Aerospace Industries’ Phalcon system is built around an ELTA EL/M-2075 AESA L-band radar, then adds electronic and communications intelligence gathering (ELINT and COMINT) capabilities. The system can receive transmissions from other air and ground stations to round out its surveillance picture, and uses sensor fusion to provide a complete picture of the battlespace out to several hundred kilometers. On-board communications allow these AWACS planes to direct communications-compatible forces and allies based on the bigger picture, which is why AWACS planes are so valuable.

Several Phalcon platforms exist. IAI had already delivered an earlier-model “Condor” Phalcon 707 aircraft to Chile, and created a CAEW Nachshon variant for Israel and Singapore that fits into a Gulfstream 550 business jet. India already operates the IL-76 as its strategic transport aircraft and aerial refueling tanker (IL-78), however, and made its decision to use the IL-76TD as its base aircraft.

Instead of the front and side structural modifications made to Chile’s Condor and the G550 CAEW jets, India’s A-50EI Phalcon will use a conventional AWACS radome, mounted on top. Because the Elta radar scans in 360 degrees automatically, the radome will be fixed rather than rotating.

The IL-76TD’s upgraded Prem PS-90 engines will make operation in India’s hot climates easier, and the system will reportedly make heavy use of Russian avionics, including a partial glass cockpit.

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Reports indicate “unspecified additional capabilities” for its 3rd A-50EI Phalcon plane. The most likely additions would involve additional radar modes for specialized maritime and/or ground coverage, and/or improved signals intelligence intercept & location capability.

Even though India picked an existing aircraft type in the IL-76, and an existing AWACS & radar system in the Phalcon, the process of marrying them together and adding India’s special request items makes the A-50EI a development project. As often happens, that project has slipped its timelines.

India was supposed to receive the first A-50EI Phalcon in December 2007, but Uzbekistan’s Tashkent Aircraft Production Organization (TAPO) was late in customizing the airframes. By November 2007, India’s 1st A-50EI was only at the maiden flight test stage, which continued into early 2008. Flight certification followed, and first delivery ended up taking place in Q2 2009, about 18 months late. At that point, all 3 aircraft were promised by the end of 2010, but final delivery of an enhanced 3rd A-50EI+ actually took place in mid-2011.

Even final delivery isn’t the end, of course. The A-50EI Phalcons have taken some time to become operational, and have even being grounded for a while at Agra while issues were ironed out.

Despite the delays, India is reportedly happy with its new capabilities. A major follow-on contract has been rumored since April 2008, when India reportedly picked up a $1-2 billion option for 3 more A-50EI Phalcon AWACS aircraft, with delivery expected in 2011-12. Despite multiple confirmations at the time, it now appears that 2008 only marked the beginning of India’s long negotiating and approval processes.

The A-50EI fleet’s delays and issues have slowed things further. By late 2011, media reports were suggesting that an $800 million deal for 2 more A-50EI Phalcons had reached the final approval stage – but even that is not a signed contract.

The IL-76 Phalcons are part of an emerging architecture for India’s air force, which include the Operational Data Link (ODL), the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), and Air Force Net (AFNET).

Those underlying systems have wider reach, and they will work with other aircraft beyond the A-50EIs. They will even work with other Indian AWACS planes.

India has a great deal of territory to cover, and even 6 AEW&C aircraft can easily mean just 4 operational planes at any given time. The Indian Air Force appears to be taking the “brittle swords lesson” to heart, and is looking for another 3 mid-size surveillance aircraft to act as counterparts to the larger Ilyushin Phalcons.

The state-owned DRDO research and development agency’s original 2004 timeline had their medium AEW&C project finishing by 2011, but it took that long to finalize and deliver the modified base aircraft. Delays have now pushed the project’s completion back to April 2014, and the 3 aircraft together are expected to cost around R 1,800 crore (about $385 million) total when fully equipped.

While a G550 Phalcon would provide systems commonality with the IL-76s, using an already-integrated and proven platform, India chose a path aimed at maximizing indigenous R&D above all other considerations.

DRDO’s platform of choice was Embraer’s ERJ-145 business/ regional jet. The militarized EMB-145 comes in several variants, including maritime surveillance and electronic intelligence planes. The most common variant, currently operated by Brazil and Greece, is the R-99 Erieye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft[1], using the same Saab Erieye AESA radar that will be mounted on Pakistan’s new Saab 2000 turboprop AEW&C fleet.

There are some blind spots with its “dorsal blade” configuration, most notably to the front, but flight patterns can be planned around those gaps to ensure good coverage of the area in question. India’s DRDO aims to create a similar aircraft, using locally-designed technologies.

Under a $210 million agreement with DRDO in July 2008, Brazil’s Embraer will act as the overall system integrator, supplying the jets, mounting the radar and electronics on or into the AWACS fuselage, ensuring that the altered jets retain acceptable flight performance, and handling flight recertification.

On the Indian side, the Bangalore-based DRDO Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) is responsible for overall integration of the aircraft’s electronic systems, mission computer, display and data handling. DRDO’s Defence Electronics Application Laboratory will be involved with the primary sensors, communication systems and data link. DRDO’s Defence Avionics Research Establishment will be involved with the jet’s self-protection systems, electronic warfare suites and communication support systems. DRDO’s Defence Electronics Research Laboratory will be involved with “counter-support measures.”

The radar itself won’t be a proven model. Instead, it will be a development project from DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment. A September 2005 ACIG report claimed that the radar would be similar to Saab’s Erieye, and the CABS illustration certainly looks very similar. CABS is reportedly working with the private sector firm Astra Microwave Products of Hyderabad to develop transmit-receive multimodules [JPG format] for the radar. Doing so at a reasonable cost is always a challenge for AESA radars, however, and India’s experience with the type is limited.

This radar and systems work will be the real key to the Embraer AEW&C project’s success or failure.

Unfortunately, DRDO’s radar record is cause for some concern. DRDO was responsible for “Project Guardian/Airawat,” which suffered a disastrous project failure in 1999 when its HS-748 turboprop AWACS testbed aircraft crashed, killing several engineers and scientists who were critical to the project. These Embraer aircraft are the proposed successors to that effort. More recently, the multimode radar being developed for India’s Tejas lightweight fighter couldn’t meet specifications. IAI Elta’s M-2032, which is already in India’s Sea Harriers and some of its Jaguars, is now being used instead, in order to keep the already-late fighter program on track.

Given India’s slow processes for even off-the-shelf buys, a similar failure by DRDO could easily set the country’s medium AEW&C efforts back by over 5 years.

Meanwhile, India’s rival Pakistan is fielding 2 advanced AWACS planes of its own. One is Saab’s Erieye system, mounted on a Saab 2000 turboprop. Its 4 Erieye planes will be joined by 4 larger Chinese Y-8 turboprop derivatives, the ZDK-03 AWACS . Both varieties are military-off-the-shelf configurations, rather than development projects, which is allowing Pakistan to field operational AWACS planes much more quickly.

India is modernising its defence forces especially in terms of force projection, network centric warfare capability, information and cyber warfare, and intelligence capabilities. AWACS too are a part of this process to bridge the gaps in our defence vulnerabilities. During the 1960s the idea of full-fledged usage of airborne radar systems for surveillance, battle space management and C3I purposes came into existence. These systems were known as Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AEWCS). AEWCS systems mounted on an aircraft together are known as Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) which is the non lethal but decisive arm of modern air forces round the world. AWACS allow long range surveillance with ranges of 240/350/400 Kms. The requirement for India is to have around 15-18 fully functional AWACS at any point in time so the whole Indian region can be covered with no windows of exploitation both on land and in sea.

These ranges allow collection, interpretation and analysis of data which is critical for decision makers to make timely decisions regarding defence of homeland as well as offensive pre-emptive actions against enemy forces.One of the often feared nightmares of any security official is the idea of being caught unawares by an enemy action. AWACS compliment our already existing array of ground radars to provide enough latitude in our response times. The need of the hour is to have an ‘eye in the sky’ system at both our eastern and western borders as well as maritime surveillance. AWACS are a cost effective solution as satellites cost a lot more, as well as the technology and infrastructure required to maintain a fully functional satellite system is complex and fraught with risks.

India’s foray into AWACS began in 2004 with the signing of a tripartite agreement between India, Israel and Russia. Russia was to provide the IL-70 aircrafts and Israel the Phalcon radar systems. Integration was to be done in India. Three such Phalcon AWACS are already in service and three will be operational by 2014. The delays have caused a great deal of unease in our security establishment,as a vulnerability window has been provided to our adversaries for exploitation. The procurement of eight P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft by India from US is also another example to extend our safety net to our maritime borders and coastlines. AWACS systems are the state of art of technology which provide an extended safety net to our homeland and provide crucial battlefield information well in advance to our decision makers.

AWACS India project by DRDO is India’s domestic effort to boost our C4ISR capabilities to achieve a level of parity with not just our immediate neighborhood adversaries but advanced global powers around the world.The project was based upon procurement of EmbraerERJ 145 jet from Brazil with indigenous development of the 360-degree AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar system.The militarised EMB-145 comes in several variants, including maritime surveillance and electronic intelligence planes.

A September 2005 ACIG report claimed that the radar would be similar to Saab’s Erieye, and the Center for Airborne Systems (CABS) an arm of DRDO, illustration certainly looks very similar. The radar can look 240 degrees within a short time and has a range of 350 km. It can track more than 500 targets simultaneously. The project has however run into cost over runs and time delays and needs a serious look into by the defence ministry.

Pakistan already has four Swedish Saab-2000 AEW&C aircraft, with four more Chinese ZDK-03 AWACS in the pipeline and is currently ahead of India in this field.This needs to be rectified on priority.

China already has 20 functional AWACS and is way ahead of India.As the US has already removed DRDO and its sister organisations from the Entity List, DRDO needs to make faster progress in enhancing our domestic AWACS capability through technology transfers and licensed production of American AWACS equipment.In the last decade, US has provided the basis of a strategic partnership with India in form of Civil Nuclear Deal, Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) waiver etc. India should use this opportunity to develop cutting edge technology in fields of surveillance, communication, IT and aerospace with US help and expertise-sharing. AWACS should figure at the top of this exercise as AWACS are a non lethal weapon which US should be willing to share with India.

Other countries which can form reliable partners are UK, France, Sweden and Japan and thus, intensive efforts are needed by our diplomatic, political and military staff to explore these latent opportunities.

AWACS can also complement and enhance our existing Air Defence (AD) Systems which form the bedrock of any nation’s security in the 21st century. Post Gulf War 1 (Op Desert Storm) the theme of battles have revolved around effective AD systems which protect a nation from enemy’s initial assault of fighter and bomber aircrafts as well as missiles both ballistic and cruise in nature. AD systems prevent an enemy from laying the ground for invasion by land forces after the initial aerial assaults have been successful in destroying the nation’s infrastructure, military installations and troop morale. AWACS have a longer range of visibility, larger data collection, big picture analysis capability and command-control ability as compared to their ground based counterparts. AWACS can help in detecting incoming enemy aircraft, identification of friendly and hostile forces, reconnaissance of larger tracts of land and sea, command-control of own forces, information sharing and interoperability with friendly nations during times of crisis and conflict.

As already pointed out by our previous Army Chief, nearly 97 per cent of India’s AD equipment is either outdated or obsolete and this state of affairs poses a grave threat to our national security. Procurement of ground based radars, AD guns and fighters will go a long way in fulfilling the goal of comprehensive defence preparedness. AWACS will complement and act as force multipliers of our AD force by providing the right information at the right time to the right person for timely neutralisation of threats.

AWACS can detect troop buildups, surface naval movements and aerial challenges posed by an adversary’s forces; provide the same geospatial information in real time to military and civilian commanders well in advance for them to make accurate, timely and sensitive decisions. The utility of AWACS is unquestionable and India needs to wake up to this reality and fast track both its indigenous programme of AWACS-India by DRDO and its foreign off the shelf procurement deals before it’s too late or too little.

Delivery
Israel was to deliver the first of the three systems in November 2007.

Following a delay in the integration of the Phalcon radar to the IL-76, the delivery schedule was revised. The first aircraft was formally inducted into the IAF on May 25, 2009. The second aircraft was delivered on March 25, 2010. The third was expected to be delivered in December 2010, but as on January 12, was still undergoing tests in Israel. The delay has been caused by some additional equipment fitted on the aircraft at the request of the IAF. Delivery is now scheduled for mid 2011.

Integration into IAF

The Phalcons AWACs are being inducted into the newly raised 50 Squadron based at Agra.

IAF is currently in the process of perfecting its battlespace management concepts using the A-50EI.

The IAF plans to use the Phalcons as theater-based airborne command-and-control posts performing strategic surveillance and airspace management. The Phalcons will control and direct smaller manned and unmanned ISTAR platforms that will be co-ordinating sector based offensive/defensive operations

Additional Sensors
In August 2010, Flight Magazine reported that India had sought modification to the third IL-76 to be delivered by Russia to Israel's Elta system for fitting the Phalcon radar system. The modification will allow additional systems to be fitted. The additional systems were unidentified.

The need for the additional systems was felt by the IAF after operating the two systems already delivered to India.

Elta's parent company, IAI, had no comment on the request, but it is believed that the additional systems may include sensors that would improve the "threat picture" even under adverse conditions, Flight reported.

Follow Up Order

On January 1, 2012, the Indian Express reported that the MOD had cleared the purchase of two Phalcon airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) for the Air Force. The procurement process will now commence and it could take another 3 years for the aircraft to be delivered.

It was earlier reported that India and Israel are negotiating a follow up purchase of 2 additional Phalcon radar equipped IL-76 from Israel, pushing the total number to be acquired to 5.

Speaking to the press on November 18, 2011, IAF Chief NAK Browne said the new aircraft will have the same configuration and electronic suite as earlier "because we have spent a lot of money on the integration".

"We are expecting at least two more. The proposal has just come to us from IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries). That proposal is being examined and we will be sending that to the (Defence) Ministry (for approval)", he said.

On November 8, 2011, the TOI quoted top defence ministry sources as saying the "draft contract for the two new AWACS" is being reviewed before being signed as follow-on order.

In April 2010 it was reported by Flight magazine that India has formally requested Israel for a proposal for follow up supply of three more AWACS systems.

However, in July 2010 IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik clarified that the IAF would be purchasing just two more Phalcon AWACS.

"We have already moved the case for two more AWACS," Naik told the TOI.

"Phalcon AWACS are tremendous force-multipliers. We are having an excellent experience with them. They will get their final operational clearance by October-November," he added.

On January 12, 2011, Flight magazine reported that Elta had offered to fit their Phalcon radar equipment either on the IL-76 or Gulfstream G550s

Russia's Rosoboronexport and Uzbekistan's TAPO are offering the IL-476 as the platform for the follow-up Phalcon systems. The IL-476 will feature a fully-digital fly-by-wire flight control system and glass cockpit avionics. The aircraft will be powered by PS-90A-76 turbofans.

F.A.Q.s About Phalcon :​

But what is the Phalcon?


The Phalcon is an Israeli manufactured Airborne Early Warning, Command and Control (AEWC&C) system. It is one of the most powerful such systems in the world. India [ Images ] is buying three of them for $1.1 billion (approximately Rs 5,000 crore or Rs 50 billion).

What does the Phalcon do?

It provides real time surveillance of a few hundred kilometres of territory and also command and control. It can pick up a low flying aircraft, a missile or communication and provide advance warning after correlation. It will help the Indian Air Force to maintain air superiority in a battle. It can pick up an incoming object in all weather conditions, reportedly up to some 300 miles. It can also pick up all sorts of communications from air, sea or land. All the information collected can be conveyed live to the control centre in the headquarters.

How does it pick up information of enemy objects in its area of coverage?

The Phalcon system has four sensors, which coordinate with each other. If one of the sensors picks up an incoming object or enemy communication it automatically co-relates with other sensors and reconfirm.

How different is it from other Airborne Early Warning Systems (AEWS)?

Most other AEWS are mechanically rotating antennas, or rotodomes, mounted on an aircraft. In the Phalcon it would be a stationary dome mounted on the aircraft and based on an Active Phased Array Electronic Scanning Technology. It would be able to track continuously any fast, high manoeuvring objects in much shorter period of time than the rotodome-based AWACS.

Does it only track incoming objects and communications?

No. The Phalcon is also a full-fledged command and control centre mid-air that can be deployed to direct the aircraft, providing them a picture of the entire battlefield thus allowing them superiority over enemy fighters.

Do Pakistan and China have it?

Neither have it. China was refused the Phalcon in 2000 even after they had paid an advance because of American objections. After India signed the agreement last week Pakistan has threatened to take 'appropriate steps' to match Indian capabilities.

Why is US permission so important for buying the Israeli manufactured product?

America is Israel's key ally and a collaborator in Israel's development of several cutting edge military technologies. The Israeli Aircraft Industries, which produces the Phalcon, has an agreement with some European and US firms, including Raytheon for further research, development and marketing of the Phalcon. India too was given the Phalcon only after US permission. The US had threatened to withdraw financial assistance to Israel if it went ahead and fitted the system on a Chinese plane, which had landed in Israel in 2000.

Is India then the first country to get the Phalcon?

No. Countries such as Chile already have it. But India would be the first country to mate the Phalcon system on the Russia [ Images ]n manufactured IL-76 plane. In fact there is a trilateral agreement between Israel, India and Russia on the project. Israel has given an undertaking to Russia not to reveal the technology of fitting it on an Ilyusin to any other country.

The Phalcon has been mounted on which other aircraft?

It can be mounted on various Boeings, C-130 and even an Airbus. Chile's Phalcon system, called Condor, is mounted on a modified Boeing 767.

What PAF Thinks ? : Indian AWACs Threaten Pakistan air space

Contributing Editor Air Marshal (Retd) AYAZ AHMAD KHAN examines the threat to Pakistan because of the Indian AWACs.

In April 2000 Indian Air Force acquired two Russian Bariev A-50 AWAC aircraft for radar, electronic surveillance, photo-reconnaissance and spying inside Pakistani territory and airspace. With this enhanced air surveillance and interception capability the IAF will have foreknowledge of the aerial and ground activity at PAF air bases and air defence installations.

These AWACs can detect the number of aircraft flying in the air, parked or taxing on the ground. They will know the location and deployment of Pakistani radars, missiles i.e. SAM's, surface to surface missiles, IRBM's, nuclear installations, military concentrations, armour and artillery deployments, POL depots, power houses, and vital infrastructure.

The IAF AWACs could even monitor air and rail movements and the traffic on Pakistani highways. The daily flying of IAF's Russian built AWACs to obtain a photo and video view of all activity in the air or on the ground to a depth of 300 KM is a very dangerous development and in fact a provocation in the prevailing volatile Pak-India relations.

With powerful radars and electronic sensors mounted on the AWAC's the Indian Air Force now has an enhanced detection, interception, and accurate attack and ground strike capability. Aircraft fitted with surveillance radars, sensing and data collecting electronics, jamming black boxes and command and control capability are variously known as AEW, AWE&C or AWAC and AEW and are designed for radar early warning and detection of aircraft, ships and submarines. But when augmented by early warning and command and control i.e. intercept capability these are called AWACs. When supplemented by control capabilities only in addition to early warning such aircraft are called AWE&C's systems.

The AWE&Cs receive orders from ground based command centres or from AWAC’s to intercept incoming air raids by allocated fighter interceptors. AWACs are a leap forward in air defence technology and techniques.

Pakistan has a developed air defence infrastructure. There are two air defence commands. The PAF Air Defence Command and the Army Air Defence Command. The mission of The PAF Air Defence Command is to protect and defend Pakistan's air space. The mission of the Army Air Defence Command is defence of selected Army formations during the war. Pakistan Air Force has an advanced air defence system. Its main components are high and low looking mobile radars, integrated radar detection systems designed for high and low level interceptions using fighter aircraft, surface to air missiles, radar operated automatic firing ack ack i.e. anti-aircraft guns, and shoulder fired infra-red SAM's.

At the Command and Control Centres air defence controllers and their commanders maintain round the clock vigil scanning the air space for possible air intruders. The high alert status of the air defence system and fighter squadrons, ensures guaranteed defence of Pakistan's air space. After detection and identification of intruder fighters are scrambled within minutes and directed to intercept or destroy it as necessary. Pakistan's advanced air defence system is fully integrated. It is manual plus automated and digitized to use high speed supersonic aircraft, high velocity radar controlled anti-aircraft guns and surface to air missiles to intercept and destroy hostile air intruders.

The nation’s VP's i.e. vital points and VA's i.e. vital areas cities, industrial complexes, communication infrastructure civil and military installations, airports, harbours, air fields, cantonments, oil and ordnance depots, power houses, rail and road bridges, dams and barrages are adequately defended against hostile air attack’s. Missile attacks however, must be countered by missile attacks, and such a response is a part of the minimum nuclear deterrence policy.

But with the supply of Russian AWAC's to the Indian Air Force the PAF Air Defence System could suffer degradation. The AWACs flying along the border will monitor the communications and detect the orders and response of the PAF Air Defence Systems. Hostile aircraft entering Pakistan's air space will be forewarned. IAF commanders on board the AWAC's will know as the PAF commanders ACTIVATE VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF AIR DEFENCE to destroy enemy fighter bombers before they could reach targeted VP/VA's. So far the enemy did hot have knowledge of PAF fighter bases from where the PAF fighter interceptors took off for interceptions, and the number of interceptors climbing out to destroy the enemy air intruders.

With AWAC the enemy will have the foreknowledge of the air bases, numbers scrambled, the direction, speed, and distance from the hostile IAF aggressors. AWACs CAPs i.e. constant air patrolling will facilitate attack and evasive action of IAF strike, air combat and interceptor aircraft. With the AWACs patrolling along the Pakistani air space, this essential element of surprise so vital for the success of air defence action and air interceptions is gone. With the vital element of secrecy penetrated, the enemy will have a better picture of the disposition and movement of PAF aircraft on the ground or in the air. The IAF AWAC's have presumably been tasked to identify the deployment and disposition of Pakistan's strategic assets i.e. its nuclear force of missiles and weapons. Even with the mobility of Pakistani radars, SAM's and nukes, the Indian AWAC's will track them relentlessly. This implies serious loss of secrecy and confidentiality vital to the maintenance of minimum deterrence by Pakistan. In these circumstances dispersal, high mobility and secure deployment of strategic forces is vital.

It is worth mentioning that the Russian A-50 AWAC is based on the IL-78 transport aircraft powered by 4D-30 KP turbofan engines. It is a sub-sonic heavy jet aircraft whose own survivability depends on fast exit and fighter protection when violating Pakistani air space or the neutral zone. With enhanced vigilance by CAPs whenever the IAF AWACs are snooping near sensitive areas or are in violation of air space, it is possible to force them to land. The Bariev A-50 AWAC weighs 101000 kg (exceedingly heavy). It has a top speed of 800 KPH, range of 7000 KM and endurance of four hours without refuelling. With aerial refueling its endurance could exceed ten hours.

Its vital electronics comprise a rotating VEGA SHMEL 3D Doppler AEW&C radar with passive mode to detect ECM (electronic counter measure) sources. This radar can detect fighters within a radius of 230 KM and transport aircraft up to 300 Km. On its ten radar consoles, ten air defence controllers can track fifty (50) air borne targets, and carry out ten air consoles interceptions simultaneously. This enhanced air interception capability is a very serious threat for Pakistan Air Force. Other electronic facilities on board are IFF i.e. identification of friend and foe a weather radar in the nose, and satellite communication/navigation data link system.

The A-50 AWAC is fitted with flares and chaff dispensers to destroy and elude incoming infrared or radar guided SAM's and radar detection. It also has an undisclosed self-defence capability. The PAF fighters are now vulnerable to surprise attack even within own air space. IAF emboldened by the cowardly destruction of the PN Atlantic near Badin, could resort to further mischief of the same kind.

The communication range of the A-50 AWAC is unlimited because of space relay satellites. Communications with ships and submarines at sea are also possible. These AWAC's can carry out maritime recce, and could warn Indian Navy ships and submarines about the presence of foreign ships nearby. They could track PN ships and in collaboration with in maritime recce aircraft direct Indian Navy Harriers and IAF SU30-K bombers to attack Pakistani ships in coastal waters or at high seas. The presence of Russian A-50 AWAC's in the region greatly upgrades India’s capacity to dominate South Asian air space and the Indian Ocean. Flying along the Chinese borders they could violate Chinese air space and create similar threat for Peoples Republic of China.

The A 50 Bariev code named Mainstay by NATO is a force multiplier. It will greatly enhance force utilization of IAF Mirage 2000, Mig-29 and SU 30 combat and attack fighters during war. With the provision of airborne early warning, tracking, command and control these high-tech IAF fighters will become a potent menace for the PAF interceptors. With the enhanced capability for tactical and strategic operations provided by the A-50 AWACs to the IAF, Indian Army and Indian Navy, Indian military posture and defence policy will become more aggressive and violent against its neighbours, especially against Pakistan, which has been labelled as the eternal enemy by Shev Sena hawks.

The US is ahead in AWAC technology. The PAF had opted for the Boeing E3A Sentry AWAC system in 1987. Studies and system evaluation was conducted to upgrade the air defence capability to meet the challenge of Soviet air threat and air space violations on the western borders. System studies and evaluation had clearly established the superiority of the American E3A Sentry AWAC over the Russian A-50 Bariev Mainstay. The Boeing E3A Sentry is superior to the Bariev A-50 in performance, detection, discrimination, interception range, control and command capabilities and in ECM and ECCM performance.

The E3A Sentry can jam i.e. electronically blind ALL THE SYSTEMS of the Russian A-50 Bariev and make it inoperative and defenceless. In 1987 US was the only source for the acquisition of the Boeing E3A AWAC's, but inspite of the Soviet aggression into Afghanistan, Pakistan’s request was turned down by US authorities, who instead offered two AEW compatible E2A's of degraded performance. PAF rightly rejected the US offer. Washington is unlikely to give Pakistan anything to counter the new threat to Pakistan's security created by the supply of two Russian Bariev A-50 AWAC's to India. In fact Washington may have collaborated with Moscow and proded it to lease the AWAC's to India in pursuit of its own ulterior designs towards Pakistan.

The lease and supply of the two Mainstay AWAC's by Russia to India could be with US approval. Islamabad would be wise to consult Beijing before developing a strategy of response to the grave threat created by the induction of the Bariev A-50 in the region. At the same time Pakistan must lodge protests both to Moscow, Washington and New Delhi, informing them that Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this threat appropriately. Islamabad must urge Russia, US and India to remove the two Bariev A-50 from South Asia, failing which be prepared to face the consequences of the collaborative collusion and conspiracy to endanger Pakistan's security.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Is India then the first country to get the Phalcon?

No. Countries such as Chile already have it. But India would be the first country to mate the Phalcon system on the Russia [ Images ]n manufactured IL-76 plane. In fact there is a trilateral agreement between Israel, India and Russia on the project. Israel has given an undertaking to Russia not to reveal the technology of fitting it on an Ilyusin to any other country.

The Phalcon has been mounted on which other aircraft?

It can be mounted on various Boeings, C-130 and even an Airbus. Chile's Phalcon system, called Condor, is mounted on a modified Boeing 767.

Note- India is the first and only nation to get the most powerful and latest radar- the EL/W-2090. Chile got the EL/M-2075- mounted in the nose.

 

[Jason bourne]

Excellent xinix strikes...

 

[Chanakyaa]

Added PAF View Over Indian AWACS.

 

[Indiankid]

Very informative!!

 

[Manindra]

DRDO should complete AWACS project in time.

 

[JAT BALWAN]

@XiNiX ... always waiting for your valuable informative posts... & you always comes back with bang

 

[Abingdonboy]

What PAF Thinks ? : Indian AWACs Threaten Pakistan air space

Contributing Editor Air Marshal (Retd) AYAZ AHMAD KHAN examines the threat to Pakistan because of the Indian AWACs.​

This piece doesn't make much sense unless I am missing something?
- The IAF's A-50EI PHALCON AWACS are Israeli in origin (radar systems) not Russian
- The IAF has 3 (with 2 follow-ons coming soon) not 2 systems
- The IAF owns them outright- there is no lease with anyone.
-The IAF got them in 2009, not 2000.
- The IAF's EL/W-2090 PHALCON system is more than a match for the USAF's E-3As in "performance, detection, discrimination, interception range, control and command capabilities and in ECM and ECCM performance."

there are many other, but less pressing, issues with this piece.

Maybe referring to another deal that fell through?​

 

[sancho]

The Indian Eyes in Sky ​

Awesome post XiNiX! ​

 

[faithfulguy]

DRDO should complete AWACS project in time.

With infinite time, India can do anything, can't it.

 

[Dillinger]

With infinite time, India can do anything, can't it.

Two of the DRDO AEW&C are already undergoing flight tests..sorted within a 5 year period since the re-start. Often we don't need infinite time or wisdom from others. Commissioning will occur in early 2016.

 

[surya kiran]

This piece doesn't make much sense unless I am missing something?
- The IAF's A-50EI PHALCON AWACS are Israeli in origin (radar systems) not Russian
- The IAF has 3 (with 2 follow-ons coming soon) not 2 systems
- The IAF owns them outright- there is no lease with anyone.
-The IAF got them in 2009, not 2000.
- The IAF's EL/W-2090 PHALCON system is more than a match for the USAF's E-3As in "performance, detection, discrimination, interception range, control and command capabilities and in ECM and ECCM performance."

there are many other, but less pressing, issues with this piece.

Maybe referring to another deal that fell through?

yea...i think he has forgotten there is an israeli radar on the a50 and not the old soviet one. And I wonder when the Americans were needed to tell the russians thats its ok for the russians to sell military equipment to India

Here is an interesting article to read though

http://www.northropgrumman.com/AboutUs/AnalysisCenter/Documents/pdfs/Brittle-Swords-Low-Density-Hig.pdf

 

[Storm Force]

Stunning post and awesome capability by India so confident with mki combo