Embraer offers Delhi technical assistance in integrating mission systems, while pitching ERJ-145 as the platform
India is slowly progressing its plans to indigenously develop an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) mission system with some technical assistance from Embraer, which is pitching to supply its ERJ-145 regional jet as the platform.
The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation's Centre for Airborne Systems laboratory is leading the project, says M Natarajan, scientific adviser to the Indian defence minister.
"After detailed and thorough analysis, a baseline configuration has been evolved and finalised," said Natarajan in a speech to the Aerospace Technologies - Challenges and Opportunities seminar held in conjunction with Aero India. "The scope of the AEW&C programme is to deliver two fully qualified systems to the Indian air force as part of phase one. An additional six to eight systems are contemplated as part of phase two," he added.
Embraer, which has sold AEW&C versions of the ERJ-145 to Brazil, Greece and Mexico, says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian government to supply the twinjet as the platform.
"Our platform has been selected to carry the Indian radar, communications and self-protection systems," says Embraer Asia Pacific vice-president international business, defence and government markets Sergio Bellato. "We supply the platform and support the programme with our expertise. We are not supplying technology." Bombardier says a modified version of its Global Express remains a potential platform for the AEW&C system, but it is yet to make a decision on whether to bid.
Embraer has enjoyed some sales success with the Indian military, having supplied the air force with four ERJ-135-based Legacy 600 aircraft, and the country's border security force with one aircraft.
The Brazilian manufacturer is also bidding to supply the air force with nine Legacy-based multi-mission aircraft for personnel transport, aerial survey/mapping, target-towing and jamming duties. "The government is analysing the technical proposals," says Bellato.
Bombardier says it may also bid for the multi-mission requirement if a request for proposals is released. Israel Aerospace Industries, meanwhile, says it is proposing a Gulftream G200-based solution.
Source: Flight International
