DRDO signs AEW&C Mk II contracts with Adani Defence, AIESL

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed contracts with AI Engineering Services (AIESL) and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies (ADSTL) for the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Mk II programme, covering the conversion of six Airbus A321 aircraft and the development and production of mission systems.

Under the agreements, AIESL will convert six commercial A321 aircraft into green configuration, while ADSTL will serve as the Development-cum-Production Partner

for the programme's mission systems.

The contracts were signed by the Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), a DRDO laboratory, in the presence of Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on Wednesday (July 22).

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Integration and certification

The modified aircraft will be supplied by Airbus Defence and Space, the original equipment manufacturer. CABS, with support from ADSTL, will integrate the mission systems onto the platform and conduct flight testing with the Indian Air Force before seeking certification from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance.

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Enhanced surveillance capabilities

According to the Ministry of Defence, the AEW&C Mk II platform will provide airborne surveillance, secure communication, situational awareness, command and control capabilities, and longer endurance. The ministry said these capabilities are expected to strengthen India's air defence by improving its ability to detect and respond to threats over extended ranges.

The ministry said the contracts are part of efforts to expand domestic research, development and manufacturing in the defence sector under the government's self-reliance initiative.