An IAF Phacon system mounted on a IL-76TD. Photo Credit: Beriev.comThe Indian Air Force has forwarded a proposal to the Defense Ministry to purchase three additional Phalcon AWACS from Israel at a cost of $ 2 billion.
In January 2004, India and Israel signed a $1.1 billion contract for 3 Phalcon AWACS systems, as part of a $1.5 billion tripartite agreement with Russia.
The first Phalcon system is likely to be delivered to the IAF in September 2008. Follow-on deliveries are expected in April 2009 and August 2010.
The three additional Phalcon systems ordered are expected to be delivered by 2012.
The Phalcon system, using a phased array radar instead of a slowly rotating dome, can update operators every two to four seconds instead of 20 to 40 seconds as is the case on the American E-3 Sentry system mounted on the venerable Boeing 707. . The ELTA EL/M-2075 AESA L-band radar of the Phalcon system being delivered to India is mounted on upgraded IL-76TD aircraft equipped with Prem PS-90 engines to facilitate easier operation in India's hot climate.
Israel has delivered similar Phalcon systems mounted on Boeing 707 to Chile and on Gulfstream 550 business jets to Israeli and Singaporean air forces.
On the IAF IL-76TD aircraft the Phalcon radar is mounted on a non rotating dome, while on the Gulfstream 550 the mounting is conformal.
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