In a major step towards strengthening India’s indigenous airborne surveillance capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed two key contracts for the development of the Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-II programme under the Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The agreements were signed by the Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), the DRDO laboratory leading the programme. One contract has been awarded to AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) for converting six Airbus A321 aircraft from commercial passenger configuration into “green” platforms that will serve as the base for the AEW&C Mk-II system.
The second contract has been signed with Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited (ADSTL), which has been selected as the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) for the mission systems that will equip the aircraft with advanced airborne surveillance and command capabilities.
The contracts were signed by the Director of CABS in the presence of Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, along with senior officials from AIESL and Adani Defence, in New Delhi on July 22.
CABS to Lead System Integration and Flight Testing
Under the programme, Airbus Defence & Space will deliver the modified A321 aircraft platform, while CABS, with support from Adani Defence, will integrate the indigenous mission systems onto the aircraft.
Following integration, the AEW&C Mk-II aircraft will undergo an extensive flight testing campaign in collaboration with the Indian Air Force. The platform will then be certified by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) before entering service.
Major Capability Upgrade for the Indian Air Force
The AEW&C Mk-II is expected to provide a significant enhancement over India’s existing airborne early warning platforms. The system will feature:
- Longer operational endurance
- Advanced airborne surveillance capabilities
- Secure communication systems
- Improved situational awareness
- Enhanced command and control capabilities
These improvements will enable the Indian Air Force to detect, track and respond to aerial threats over much greater distances, significantly strengthening India’s air defence network.
Boost to Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
The participation of Indian industry in the programme reflects the government’s continued focus on building a self-reliant defence ecosystem. By involving domestic companies in both aircraft modification and mission system development, the AEW&C Mk-II programme is expected to strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical airborne surveillance systems.
With these contracts now in place, the AEW&C Mk-II programme has moved into an important execution phase, bringing India a step closer to fielding a next-generation indigenous airborne early warning platform for the Indian Air Force.
