The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed agreements with AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited (ADSTL) to advance the Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-II programme.
Under the agreement, six Airbus A321 aircraft will be converted from commercial to green configuration by AIESL, paving the way for the development and production of advanced surveillance aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
A separate contract has been signed with Adani Defence as the development-cum-production partner for mission systems of the AEW&C Mk-II programme.
The DRDO said the new AEW&C Mk-II system, developed by the Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), will provide enhanced airborne surveillance, longer endurance, secure communication, improved situational awareness, and stronger command and control capabilities.
The programme is expected to significantly strengthen India’s air defence capabilities by improving threat detection and response over extended ranges.
The defence ministry said the partnerships mark a major step towards the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting indigenous defence manufacturing, innovation, research, and private sector participation.
CABS, along with ADSTL, will integrate mission systems on the modified AEW&C Mk-II platform and conduct flight testing with the Indian Air Force before certification by defence aviation authorities.
