ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to enhance its aerial surveillance andbattle management capabilities following the intense aerial engagementsduring Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force has issued a Request forInformation for the procurement of six advanced Airborne Early Warning andControl aircraft. This development comes amid revelations that India’slimited fleet exposed vulnerabilities against adversaries with superiornumbers in such critical assets. The RFI, dated January 5, underscores theurgency to bolster force multipliers in a rapidly evolving threatenvironment.
The operation, launched in May 2025 in response to a terrorist attack inPahalgam, saw the IAF facing multiple planes downing due Pakistan Figherjets backed by the Surveillance Aircrafts. However, defence analysts pointout that India’s current inventory of merely five operational AEW&Csystems—three Phalcon and two Netra—remains inadequate for sustainedoperations on two fronts.
Comparative data highlights the disparity in airborne early warningcapabilities across the region. China maintains a robust fleet exceeding 40platforms, including advanced KJ-500 and KJ-2000 variants, providingcomprehensive coverage along the northern borders. Pakistan, operatesaround 11 to 12 AEW&C aircraft, comprising Swedish Erieye and ChineseZDK-03 systems, enabling effective command and control in shorterconflicts. This numerical superiority allowed adversaries greatersituational awareness during the brief but high-intensity clashes.
The RFI specifies requirements for a sophisticated system of systems,integrating 360-degree radar coverage, electronic surveillance measures,and secure data links for network-centric warfare. Potential platformsunder consideration include modified Airbus A-320 or Embraer jets, buildingon indigenous efforts like the Netra programme developed by the DefenceResearch and Development Organisation. The new aircraft must endure over 10hours on station or support mid-air refuelling, operating fromhigh-altitude bases to cover vast territorial expanses.
Experts emphasise that Operation Sindoor demonstrated the pivotal role ofAEW&C in modern air warfare. The limited numbers forced reliance onground-based radars, creating gaps that could have been exploited. Theprocurement aims to address this shortfall, projecting a eventual fleet of12 to 18 systems to achieve persistent surveillance and dominance incontested airspace.
Regional security dynamics further necessitate this expansion. China’srapid modernisation and deployment of stealth aircraft demand enhanceddetection ranges beyond 550 kilometres, capable of tracking low-observabletargets and hypersonic threats. Similarly, Pakistan’s efforts to replenishlosses with potential Chinese KJ-500 acquisitions highlight the ongoingarms race in airborne command assets, where numbers translate directly tooperational flexibility and survivability.
The IAF’s push aligns with broader modernisation initiatives, includingindigenous Netra Mk1A and Mk2 variants on Embraer and Airbus platformsrespectively. While the Mk2 project, cleared in mid-2025, promises300-degree coverage and advanced mission suites, the current RFI opensavenues for global collaboration to accelerate induction. Industryresponses will shape the procurement strategy, balancing cost, technologytransfer, and self-reliance under the Make in India framework.
Defence sources indicate that the acquisition could involve associatedground infrastructure and training facilities, ensuring seamlessintegration with existing integrated air command systems. This holisticapproach reflects lessons from Operation Sindoor, where coordinated battlemanagement proved decisive in neutralising multiple aerial incursions andachieving air superiority in key sectors despite numerical challenges.
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As tensions persist along the borders, the bolstered AEW&C fleet will serveas a critical deterrent, extending the IAF’s sensor reach and enablingproactive defence postures. The move signals India’s commitment to closingcapability gaps exposed in recent conflicts, positioning its air power forsustained deterrence against collusive threats from neighbours in anincreasingly complex regional security landscape.
Analysts predict that successful induction of these six platforms, combinedwith ongoing indigenous developments, could elevate India’s airbornesurveillance to parity or superiority by the early 2030s. This data-drivenenhancement underscores a strategic shift towards force multiplication,ensuring resilience in future contingencies while minimisingvulnerabilities highlighted during the high-stakes Operation Sindoor.
Source:https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/defence/iaf-moves-to-acquire-six-awacs-for-boosting-surveillance-capability-issues-rfi-to-industry/
Tags: Indian Air Force, Operation Sindoor, AEW&C, Pakistan Air Force
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