India receives second AWACS aircraft

MUMBAI, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The second Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft acquired from Israel by the Indian Air Force (IAF) have landed, India's media reported on Friday.

The Second AWACS arrived at Jamnagar air base in the western Indian state of Gujarat Thursday evening, and will be deployed at Agra air base in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the news agency Press Trust of India quoted an IAF official as saying.

With the arrival of second AWACS, the IAF could boost the aerial patrol capability by covering the eastern and western part of India at the same time, said the official.

Like the first AWACS, the second one could detect and track dozens of flying objects from more than 300 kilometers away, including hostile fighters, bombers and cruising missiles, and direct its anti-aircraft units to intercept the incoming flying targets.

According to the contract signed with Israel in 2004, the IAF will get three Phalcon AWACSs, of which the first was delivered in May last year.
The IAF could provide air patrol by covering the whole nation as the third AWACS arrives later this year, the official added.

However, the speed of AWACS is quite slow, and need the protection of fighters and anti-aircraft missiles from the ground.

As the third AWACS reaches, India will become one of the few countries which have three advanced AWACSs. Such countries include the United States, Russia, China, Britain and Japan. 

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sci/2010-03/26/c_13225604.htm