'We are looking to induct airborne SIGINT systems which can be deployed on our medium size aircraft and are able to intercept, identify and locate electro magnetic emissions of modern ground and airborne radars,' an IAF official said.
To upgrade its snooping capabilities, the Indian Air Force is planning to induct signal intelligence (SIGINT) systems which would be installed on its medium-sized transport aircraft fleet.
"We are looking to induct airborne SIGINT systems which can be deployed on our medium size aircraft and are able to intercept, identify and locate electro magnetic emissions of modern ground and airborne radars," an IAF official told PTI in Delhi.
The aircraft should also be able to detect the counter-measures employed by enemies and intercept their communication signals, the official said.
The acquisition process has already been initiated by the IAF with the release of a global Request For Information (RFI) in this regard.
The IAF transport aircraft fleet comprises Antonov-32, Ilyushin-76 and C-130J Super Hercules plane, which was inducted last month into operational service.
It is also working with Russia to jointly develop a medium weight multi-role transport aircraft which is likely to be inducted into service around 2016-17.
Enhancing the capabilities of its fleet, the Air Force is also planning to upgrade its around 100 An-32s and has signed a $400 million contract with Ukraine.
The first batch of the seven-tonne payload aircraft has already been upgraded in Kiev, Ukraine and the remaining would be upgraded by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Kanpur.
It is also going to induct 10 C-17 heavylift aircraft from the US under a foreign military sales deal likely to be finalised by the end of this year.
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