19 March,2009 02:37 PM IST | | PTI
In a big boost to India's surveillance capability, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to receive the first of the three Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) in the second half of May this year, almost a year and a half behind schedule.
"Indian Air Force officials have been regularly checking the system and final details are being worked out which will enable the delivery of the system by second half of May," defence sources here said.
"The remaining two deliveries are likely to come through by mid of next year or by the third quarter of 2010 if everything works out on schedule," they said.
The Phalcons will be mounted on Russia delivered Ilyushin-76 aircraft. The technical difficulties involved in integrating the whole system is said to have contributed the delay in its delivery.
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As per the deal inked in March 2004 at a whopping cost of $1.1 billion, all the three 'eye in the sky' airborne radar systems should have delivered by the end of this month.
The system will provide the IAF with intelligence inputs, helping it to maintain air superiority, improve strike capabilities and conduct tactical surveillance deep into neighbouring countries without violating their airspace.
