First Phalcon AWACS to join IAF fleet this month

The Indian Air Force is set to receive the first of three Phalcon AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) aircraft from Israel later this month. The system, mounted on Russian designed Ilyushin-76 aircraft, has been developed by Elta, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and is part of a $1.1 billion deal signed with Israel in 2004.

The delivery of the first aircraft has been confirmed by the chief of air staff, Air Marshal FH Major.

The Phalcon is equipped with a phased array L-band conformal radar system and the system includes radar, electronic intelligence systems and communication equipment. The AWACS is an all-weather system capable of tracking 60 targets simultaneously and can operate to a range of up to 400 km.

Reports suggest that Israel may be awarded a follow-on order of an additional three AWACS, at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion.

The remaining two planes from the original order are likely to join the fleet around the same time next year, with the second one scheduled to arrive sometime in the second half of this year.

The AWACS squadron is to be positioned at the Air Force Station Bareilly in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.