AWACS will be purchased from Israel at a cost of કરોડ 200 million to keep an eye on China

New Delhi, Thursday 27 August 2020

The Modi government's plan to procure two PHALCON air warning and control systems (AWACS) will be completed early next week amid ongoing tensions with China's People's Liberation Army in Ladakh.

India has three PHALCON AWACS and two DRDO-made AWACS with 360-degree rotodomes, while China has 28 and Pakistan has 7, which are tasked with commanding air strikes in extreme conditions.

The government is ready for the whole process. The draft of the acquisition was tabled before the Cabinet Committee on Security last week. This is the second time that the CCS has been reached. Last time, the CCS sent a proposal to National Security Adviser Ajit Dobhal seeking some clarification.

The PHALCON radar is valued at about 100 100 million, while its platform is valued at 100 100 million. The radar and platform will be manufactured in Israel, and the entire system will take about three years to reach India.

It was first felt by the Indian Air Force during the Pakistani airstrikes after the Balakot attack on 26 February.

While Pakistan was circling with Swedish AWACS to detect and eliminate intrusions in its airspace, the Indian Air Force was feeling insecure due to lack of its own resources.

At the same time, China's unilateral aggression in Ladakh and the reluctance of special envoys in both countries to improve the situation were felt in the skies.