Some official sources have revealed that the government at the centre is in its final stage to give its nod to acquiring the two Phalcon airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) for the Indian Air Force.
Once approved, the Phalcon aircraft will be bought from Israel at a cost of around USD 1 billion, they added. The move involving fresh negotiations with Israeli authorities concerned for procurement of the two Phalcon AWACS comes at a time when India is in its bitter standoff with the neighbouring country China along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.
Mounted on Russian-origin Illyushin-76 transport aircraft, the AWACS, because of its superior surveillance capabilities is known as an “eye in the sky”. The Indian Air Force (IAF) that already has three Phalcon AWACS, after the deal will add two more to its fleet that will significantly boost the country’s air defence mechanism.