India signs Phalcon deal for eye in the sky

India made a major stride in its strategic reach today when it inked a tri-lateral memorandum of principles and cooperation on the Phalcon e...

India made a major stride in its strategic reach today when it inked a tri-lateral memorandum of principles and cooperation on the Phalcon early warning and control radar system with Israel and Russia today.

The signing of the agreement was a formality of a deal that had already been cleared even before Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee began talks with his Israel counterpart, Ariel Sharon. According to South Block sources, the deal was cleared by Russian President Vladimir Putin when Sharon arrived in September. With the proposed acquisition of the Phalcon, the Indian Air Force will make a quantum jump in its surveillance capabilities enabling it to look much deeper into enemy territory. The Phalcon radar, that’s originally mounted on a Boeing-747, will now be fitted on a IL-76 transport aircraft in service with the IAF. While Israel will provide the radar, Russian help will be required to modify the IL-76.

The deal was signed by Defence Secretary Ajay Prasad with officials from the two countries. On behalf of Israel, Maj Gen (retd) Yasi Ben Hanan initialled the deal and from the Russian side, it was signed by Denisov Alexander of Rosoboron export. The agreement broadly defines the parameters for the three participants involved in the tri-lateral agreement.

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While the price is still being negotiated, it is understood that it is likely to be around a billion dollars. India will initially opt for three systems and could subsequently bid for more, said Defence Ministry sources.

According to the memorandum, the Phalcon will be fitted onto the IL-76 which Israel will buy from Uzbekistan and then ship to Russia where powerful engines will be added on. According to Air Headquarters sources while the production of the IL-76 has been suspended, Uzbekistan has a number of aircraft shells which can be used to provide the platforms for the radar.

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