AWACS DEAL DELAYED

The 1.5 billion India-Russia-Israel PHALCON Airborne Early Warning System venture now joins the growing list of delays in the high-tech acquisitions by New Delhi on account of 8220;technical problems8221; at Moscow8217;s end. Signed in November 2003, the tripartite deal was to ensure that India would get its first ever AWACS next month but the fact is even the first souped-up IL-76 platform from Russia is only reaching Israel on December 26, 2007 for fitment of the PHALCON radar and avionics. The delivery schedule will figure in the India-Israel Defence Secretary dialogue in Delhi next month.

DELIVERY SCHEDULE OF THREE IL-76s

Uzbekistan to Russia

For platform delivery

Delivered in time to Russia

First aircraft: On August 20, 2005

Second aircraft: On June 5, 2005

Third aircraft: On July 14, 2005

Russia to Israel

For powerful engines, strengthening of the platform

Schedule

Ist aircraft: November 2006

2nd aircraft: September 2007

3rd aircraft: March 2008

Expected

Ist aircraft: December 2007

2nd aircraft: September 2008

3rd aircraft: January 2009

Schedule

Ist aircraft: December 2007

2nd aircraft: September 2008

3rd aircraft: March 2009

Expected

Ist aircraft: September 2008

2nd aircraft: April 2009

3rd aircraft: August 2010