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Russia Cut Out Of Indian AWACS Plans

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htecm/articles/20090527.aspx

May 27, 2009: After more than a year of delays by Russia (which was supplying the modified Il-76 aircraft), India has received its first Phalcon AWACS aircraft. The Il-76s had to have part of the airframe reinforced (to accommodate the Israeli Phalcon radar) and install more powerful engines. This system is basically an Israeli radar mounted in a Russian Il-76 transport. AWACS have proved to be a crucial element in winning air superiority, and more efficient use of air power.


India ordered three of the IL-76 AWACS, for $367 million each (radar, aircraft and other electronics) in 2004. Now India is looking for three more Phalcon AWACS, to provide better warning of nuclear missile attack from Pakistan, or China. India is open to offers from other aircraft manufacturers, as it was not happy with Russia and the Il-76. Israel uses Boeing 707s, which are no longer manufactured. But Israel will install Phalcon in a Boeing 767, or an AirBus aircraft, both of which the U.S. Air Force considered for its new aerial tanker. Russia has irked India several times with late deliveries of military equipment, as well as warranty and pricing disputes. The IL-76 delay apparently had long term negative effects on trade relations.

Phalcon uses a phased array radar (thousands of small radar transmitters are fitted underneath the aircraft). The phased array radar, in combination with the latest, most powerful computers, and other antennas for picking up a variety of signals, enables Phalcon to be more aware of what electronic equipment (airborne or on the ground) is operating up to 400 kilometers away. The phased array radar allows positions of aircraft on operator screens to be updated every 2-4 seconds, rather than every 20-40 seconds as is the case on the United States AWACS (which uses a rotating radar in a radome atop the aircraft.) The major advantage of the Phalcon is that it is a more modern design. The latest improvements enable it to spot distant ballistic missiles rising up into the air, or cruise missiles coming in low and slow. The Phalcon Il-76 AWACS can stay in the air for about 14 hours per sortie, so three would not be able to provide anything like 24/7 coverage (given the need for maintenance). Eight Phalcons could provide constant coverage, during a crises situation.

 

 

1 posted on 05/28/2009 9:31:16 AM PDT by MyTwoCopperCoins
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To: MyTwoCopperCoins
Claiming that induction of AWACS by India would trigger a new arms race in the subcontinent, Pakistan's Air chief Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said Islamabad would match this capability by acquiring its own AWACS by September this year.

Notwithstanding the fact that India's military concerns are primarily about China, Pakistan will never stop trying to match every military acquisition India makes and using our tax dollars to do it.


2 posted on 05/28/2009 9:40:05 AM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: MyTwoCopperCoins

Obama and Gates are eager to help Pakistan acquire more weapons. And they have cut India off, just like Israel.


4 posted on 05/28/2009 9:49:54 AM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: MyTwoCopperCoins

Pakistan has some serious mental issues.

Why worry over India’s acquisition of AWACs platforms when your own country is near being classed a ‘failed state’ and going up in smoke because of failed appeasement terrorists policies?

Some crazy folks running Pakistan.


5 posted on 05/28/2009 9:52:46 AM PDT by cranked
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To: MyTwoCopperCoins

Duh lets see who would I trust India or Say Pakistan who is NOT trusted in that Area. Tough choice.


12 posted on 05/28/2009 10:19:21 AM PDT by Cheetahcat (Zero the Wright kind of Racist! We are in a state of War with Democrats)
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To: MyTwoCopperCoins

Can’t we all just get along? What good does it do Pakistan or India to maintain hostility? It’s not going to change anything.


27 posted on 05/28/2009 11:05:55 AM PDT by popdonnelly (The greatest crimes in history have been perpetrated by governments. You've been warned.)
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To: MyTwoCopperCoins; Fred Nerks

Ah, our tax Dollar$$$ being put to good use. Thank you Oh bummer.


33 posted on 05/29/2009 3:44:09 AM PDT by Cronos (Ceterum censeo, Mecca et Medina delendae sunt)
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...
Pakistan has voiced concern over the acquisition of Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft by India and said it would counter the threat by inducting 500 American Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles.
That'll help when the Taliban overrun the capital of Pakistan. Oh wait, no it won't.
35 posted on 05/31/2009 6:21:17 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/____________________ Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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