IAF Inducts First AWACS
The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted its first airborne warning and control system (AWACS) on Thursday, the sophisticated system fitted on an IL-76 transport aircraft detects incoming flying weapons and listens-in to aerial communications.
Dedicating the system to the nation, defence minister AK Antony expressed his “anxieties” over the delivery timelines of the other two AWACS.
“The project was signed in 2004… five years is too long a time…. I hope the governments of Russia and Israel and the hard work of our people will help us in getting the other two AWACS on time,” Antony was quoted as saying by IANS News Agency.
Israeli and Russian ambassadors were present on the occasion.
The first AWACS, which flew in from Israel to Jamnagar, is part of a tripartite contract between India, Israel and Russia. The $1.1 billion deal for the three AWACS was signed in 2004.
With the induction, India joins an exclusive club of only six other nations – US, Russia, Britain, Japan, Australia and Turkey – that operate similar systems in terms of capability.
(Internet Inputs)
