India poised to be second country in the world after Israel to develop an AEWCS with a 360 degree sweep

As Indian Air Force has taken delivery of its first indigenous “eye in the sky” Netra — Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEWCS) —  its developer says an advanced version with a 360-degree sweep — against the present 240 degrees — is on the cards. It is expected to be ready within 84 months.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman S Christopher disclosed this information on the occasion of the Aero India 2017 military exposition, thus India will be only the second country in the world after Israel to develop an AEWCS with a 360 degree sweep.

The present system, mounted on a Brazilian Embraer-145 jet, can only scan the area on both sides of the aircraft but not those in front or at the back. This achievement has already made India only the fourth country to develop its own AEWCS.

The AEWCS will supplement the larger and more capable EL/W-2090 Phalcom AWACS the IAF has acquired from Israel.

Two more Embraers are being equipped with AEWC systems. One will be handed over to the IAF by June. The DRDO will initially keep the other one for making further improvements, and it will eventually be handed over to the IAF.