MOSCOW. Dec 30 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian and Israeli companies, fulfilling the contract, envisioning delivery of three AWACS aircraft to India, are clarifying the financial aspect of the deal, Viktor Livanov, Ilyushin Aircraft Company Director General, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"The contract envisions deliveries of basically new AWACS aircraft, based on the IL-76MD Candid military transport, being jointly developed by Russia and the Israeli IAI Company, rather than A-50 Mainstay AWACS aircraft, as was reported in mass media," Livanov said.
According to him, AWACS aircraft to be delivered to India will differ considerably from A-50s in service with the Russian Air Force, both with respect to the power plant, and avionics.
"Indian AWACS aircraft will feature the airframe of the Russian IL-76MD, the PS-90A-76 engine, and Israeli avionics," Livanov said.
He also said that three new IL-76MD airframes would be manufactured and delivered to Russia by the Tashkent-based Chkalov Aircraft Production Association (TAPO), while the Ilyushin Company would be responsible for fitting the airframes with PS-90A-76 engines, in its capacity as the flagship contractor. The engines will be mounted on the airframes at the Voronezh aircraft plant. After that the aircraft will be sent to Taganrog to be fitted with Israeli avionics.
The contract on delivering three AWACS aircraft to India was signed by the Russian, Indian, and Israeli sides in New Delhi on October 10, 2003. The aircraft will be fitted with the Phalcon radar, designed by the ELTA Company (IAI subdivision). The radar is designed to detect enemy aircraft, monitor airspace, and guide combat aircraft. The aircraft are to be delivered to India in 2004-2005.
India has selected the IL-76MD-based AWACS aircraft, since it boasts a large fleet of such aircraft. The Indian Air Force operates several dozen IL-76s, and has the necessary maintenance infrastructure.
According to experts, India may procure at least another four aircraft of this type in the near future.