India, with taking the delivery of the first Embraer 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) in Brazil on Friday, moved one more step ahead in aerial security.
The delivery of the aircraft was taken after successful completion of ground and flight tests of the aircraft which met operational targets established by both Embraer and the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
The aircraft will be flown down from Brazil to Bangalore where the mission systems will be integrated to the aircraft by CABS before it is handed over to the Indian Air Force.
The airborne Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) designed and developed by CABS, is now flying on modified Embraer aircraft.
“This EMB 145 AEW&C features major capabilities such as in-flight refuelling system, significant increase in electric and cooling capacity and a comprehensive set of structural changes to which will allow the installation of the advanced mission systems that have been developed by India’s CABS along with its work centres of DRDO,” said Elangovan, chief controller R&D (Avionics & Aero) of DRDO.
India and Brazil signed a deal reportedly worth $ 210 million for the supply of three aircraft by 2014. This includes a comprehensive logistic package that entails training, technical support, supply of spare parts and ground support equipment.
Embraer is the world’s third largest commercial aircraft manufacturer, behind American Boeing and Europe’s Airbus.
The Indian Air Force already operates four Embraer Legacy 600 jets to transport government officials and foreign dignitaries. A fifth one is operated by India’s Border Security Force.
