In a significant boost to India’s defence indigenisation efforts under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday signed two major contracts with industry partners for the development of the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Mk-II programme.
The Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), a DRDO laboratory, signed a contract with AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), New Delhi, for the conversion of six Airbus A321 aircraft from commercial to green configuration. The modified aircraft will serve as the platform for the indigenous AEW&C Mk-II system.
In a separate agreement, CABS partnered with Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited (ADSTL), Ahmedabad, as the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) for the mission systems of the AEW&C Mk-II programme.
The agreements were signed by the Director of CABS with the Chief Executive Officer of AIESL and the Head of Airborne Platform at ADSTL in the presence of Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Rajesh Kumar Singh, in New Delhi.
Under the programme, Airbus Defence and Space, the original equipment manufacturer, will deliver the modified AEW&C Mk-II platforms. CABS, with support from ADSTL, will integrate the mission systems onto the aircraft and undertake flight testing in collaboration with the Indian Air Force. The aircraft will subsequently undergo certification by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA).
The indigenous AEW&C Mk-II system, with CABS serving as the nodal laboratory, is expected to significantly enhance India’s airborne surveillance and air defence capabilities. Equipped with advanced surveillance systems, secure communication networks and enhanced command-and-control capabilities, the platform will improve situational awareness, extend operational endurance and strengthen the armed forces’ ability to detect and neutralise threats over long distances.
According to the Defence Ministry, the participation of Indian industry in the programme reinforces the government’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing while fostering innovation, research and indigenous technological capabilities.
