MOSCOW. Oct 10 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia is to deliver three A- 50 Mainstay AWACS aircraft, to be fitted with Israeli instruments, to India.
"The contract on delivering three A-50 AWACS aircraft to India was signed by Russia, India, and Israel in New Delhi on Friday. The cost of the contract is estimated at USD300m. A considerable share of these funds will be earmarked to Israeli companies, which are to fit the aircraft with avionics, adapted for corresponding systems in the inventory of the Indian Armed Forces," a source in the Russian defense industry told Interfax- Military News Agency on Friday.
According to him, the aircraft to be delivered to India will be taken out of the Russian Air Force inventory. This contract will see participation of the Beriev Aircraft Research and Technical Association based in Taganrog (appointed flagship Russian company on manufacturing and delivering to India A-50 aircraft), the Ilyushin Aircraft Association (responsible for certification tests of the A-50, powered by the new PS-90A engines), and the Vega Research and Production Association (to deliver avionics components).
The A-50s to be delivered to India will be fitted with the Russian-Israeli avionics suite.
According to experts, the A-50 aircraft is superior to the U.S. E-3 AWACS, insofar target detection against the ground, and satellite-transmitted data range are concerned. A total of 20 A- 50 aircraft have been built so far. According to various estimates, the Russian Air Force operates 16-19 aircraft of this type. In addition to that the Russian Air Force operates about 25 IL-76SK Candid command and control aircraft, based on the IL-76MD Candid.
There are in excess of 220 aircraft of this type throughout the world. They are in service with at least 17 countries and the NATO Allied Command Europe.