Adani Defence, DRDO to develop India's next-gen airborne surveillance platform for IAF
New Delhi, July 22
In a bid to develop India's next-generation airborne surveillance programme for the Indian Air Force, Adani Defence and Aerospace and the Defence Research and Development Organisation have signed a landmark agreement for AEW&C-MKII, India's next-generation Airborne Early Warning and Control programme.
The programme makes Adani Defence & Aerospace the first private Indian company to be entrusted with the development, integration and lifecycle support of an airborne mission platform of this scale and complexity.
Adani Defence and DRDO will jointly develop, manufacture and integrate the airborne mission systems on six modified Airbus A321 aircraft for the IAF. The programme also includes integrated logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and technical support for up to 30 years. The induction for AEW&C-MKII is planned for 2032-33.
Described as the "eyes in the skies", AEW&C aircraft are among the most critical assets in modern air warfare.
They provide long-range surveillance, early threat detection and real-time command and control, enabling faster, better-informed operational decisions.
AEW&C-MKII will significantly enhance the IAF's situational awareness, force coordination and network-centric operations.
The collaboration combines DRDO's expertise in defence research and mission systems with the capabilities of Adani Defence & Aerospace in advanced manufacturing, systems integration and lifecycle support, creating one of India's most advanced indigenous airborne surveillance platforms.
With only five countries - the United States, France, Israel, China and Sweden - having developed indigenous AEW&C capabilities, AEW&C-MKII will place India among this select group. The platform will be integrated with the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS), the nationwide command-and-control network that links surveillance, air defence and operational assets in real time.
This integration will strengthen national air defence through faster decision-making, seamless battlespace coordination and enhanced operational responsiveness.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Pride moment for India! Only 5 countries have this tech, and now we're joining the league. But I hope there's strong oversight to ensure quality and timely delivery. Our armed forces deserve the best, not delays like some other projects. Still, good news for national security.
As someone who follows defence tech, this is impressive. Integrating mission systems on A321 aircraft is a proven approach. The 30-year lifecycle support shows long-term commitment. India is finally moving beyond just buying off-the-shelf systems. Well done DRDO and Adani.
Great initiative, but I have some reservations. Why only 6 aircraft? China has dozens of these. And giving such a critical project to a private company raises questions about accountability and cost escalation. Hope DRDO maintains strict technical oversight. Otherwise, positive step for sure.
Eyes in the skies! Perfect description. With increasing threats from China and Pakistan, this capability is non-negotiable. The integration with IACCS is the game-changer - real-time data sharing will make our air defence much more effective. India zindabad! 🇮🇳
This is a smart move. The A321 platform is proven and widely used, which reduces risk. The 30-year support contract ensures the IAF won't have to worry about obsolescence. India is becoming a serious player in defence manufacturing. Kudos to all involved.
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