Surveillance aircraft to join IAF at Aero India-2017

The indigenously equipped small surveillance plane, AEW&CS, will be inducted into the Air Force during the first day of Aero India-2017.

DRDO chairman and Defence R&D secretary S. Christopher said on Saturday that the aircraft, built on the platform of the Brazilian Embraer plane, has achieved the initial operational certification. The radar on it will be indigenously developed. Its pair, the second AEWC&S, will be similarly equipped and inducted around June, he said.

This plane would also fly and demonstrate its capability during the show.

The DRDO is also ready to inaugurate its Advanced Test Range at Challakere in Chitradurga as soon as either of the Defence Ministers can find the time, he said. Preliminary work has begun in the fifth-generation stealth fighter, the twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft or AMCA, at the ADA, Bengaluru. An LCA version with higher thrust is being developed.

The AEW&CS has been developed at a cost of 2,400 crore, which is still within international costs of development, Dr. Christopher said.

The Rustom-2 / ‘Tapas’ MALE (medium altitude long endurance) UAV will reach its full capability by the end of the year. A policy is being readied on UAV capabilities that must endure up to 2025, he said.

DRDO seminar begins today

The DRDO will showcase its combat aircraft, missiles, unmanned air vehicles, avionics, radars and surveillance devices during the Aero India air show and exhibition, which begins in the city on February 14.

As many as 25 defence labs or almost half of the total centres are participating in the exhibition.

The DRDO’s customary seminar of three days will begin on Sunday and will highlight national security with indigenous technology, said Cdr C.D. Balaji (retd), director, Aeronautical Development Agency, said on Saturday. The ADA is the lead agency developing the light fighter and its versions and follow-ons.

A real Light Combat Aircraft or ‘Tejas’ in static and flying display, the UAVs Rustom 1 and 2, and missiles will be the pride of the nationally developed defence products and technologies at the air show.