Atul Chandra

Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) aircraft are of vital importance in the modern battlefield. While modern fighter aircraft have advanced radars with improved detection range, they still have limited range as compared to AWACS/ AEW&C aircraft. Today’s highly sophisticated AWACS/ AEW&C aircraft can provide the combat pilot with better battlefield awareness which enhances their mission effectiveness.

E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft

The USAF’s legacy E-3 AWACS aircraft for example, with its distinct rotating radar dome has a detection range of over 400 km. According to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), its E-7A Wedgetail AWACS can cover more than four million square kilometres, an area the size of Western Australia or the Northern Territory during a standard mission.

Delayed Vision

The Indian Air Force (IAF) at present appears to be stuck in a limbo with regards to its AWACS/ AEW&C plans, but the advanced militaries of the world are already working on the next-generation of these advanced airborne command posts. The IAF presently operates three Israeli Phalcon AWACS platforms along with two DRDO ‘Netra’ AEW&C aircraft. A third Netra aircraft is slated for delivery to the IAF later this year.

In comparison, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has a sizeable AEW&C fleet estimated at five Saab Erieye AEW&C aircraft along with four Chinese ZDK03 Karakoram Eagle AWACS aircraft, which are integrated into the PAF’s Command & Control Ground Environment. The IAF will also need to cater to China’s large AWACS/AEW&C fleet and the need for the IAF’s own