Bangalore: The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has revealed that it has developed a low-cost, indigenous radar system, which will match and even surpass the Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

''DRDO is equipped to develop an indigenous radar system at substantially low-cost by using technologies developed for indigenous AEW&CS,'' said a CABS official.

CABS AEW&CS Embraer-145 configuration: (Copyright image: domain-b)

An indigenous airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS), to be based on Embraer-145 platforms, is being readied for delivery by 2011. The system will be developed at a cost of Rs 1,800-crore.

This CABS- developed indigenous system alone is capable of creating business opportunities worth Rs500-600 crore for SMEs in the country. CABS officials said its various work centres at DRDO are already tapping around 50-60 SMEs and PSUs to develop the indigenous system.

Some of these SMEs include Astra Microwave, Alligator Designs, Mistral Solutions, CMC, BEL, BDL, Chaturvedi Tools, SM Creative, Cornett, Data Patterns and Ayur.

According to DRDO sources, the Indian Air Force may eventually be interested in acquiring at least 20 such systems.

India took delivery of its first AWACS aircraft in May 2009, part of a $1.1-billion defence deal with Israel. The system is meant to detect aircraft and monitor troop movements and enemy communications at distances of hundreds of kilometres.

The indigenous AEW&CS, to be mounted on three Embraer-145 jets, ''will be very advanced with the latest image processing facilities and better software systems compared to foreign sophisticated radar systems,'' according to DRDO chief controller (R&D) Prahalad .

CABS AEW&CS Embraer-145 configuration: (Copyright image: domain-b)

Scientists at CABS and its work centres at the LRDE, Defence Avionics Research Establishment, Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, DEAL at DRDO have developed indigenous software for tactical battle management and signal processing, which can be used in radars.

Reports now suggest that DRDO may be looking for a foreign partner to help CABS optimise time and cost involved in integrating systems and evaluation for the AEWC&S.