Update on Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)

Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) which are called "an eye in the sky " come under a project, which is a tripartite contract between India, Israel and Russia. The $1.1 billion deal for the three AWACS was signed in 2004.
The first AWACS had come in May 2009. Second comes in March 2010. India has to be delivered a total of 3 AWACS. First AWAC is based at Agra and second also will be based at Agra airbase which is one of the largest in the country and has immense strategic importance.

AWACS have the ability to detect aircraft, cruise missiles and other flying objects at ranges far greater than is possible through existing systems.

They can also collate surface information about troop movements and missile launches even while “listening-in” to highly confidential communications between the enemy’s front line units. Its a potent force multiplier for Indian Air Force.

India is in the elite club of nations - the US, Russia, Britain, Japan, Australia and Turkey - that operate such a sophisticated system. Pakistan too has AWACS but is of a much lower end of the scale in terms of capability.