DRDO signed two contracts on 22 July 2026 for the AEW&C Mk‑II programme, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in July 2025 with an outlay of Rs 19,000 crore, to expand the Indian Air Force’s airborne surveillance fleet.
Programme partners and platform
- AIESL: Air India Engineering Services Limited contracted to convert six Airbus A321 aircraft from passenger to mission platform.
- ADSTL: Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Ltd appointed as Development‑cum‑Production Partner for mission systems.
- CABS: Centre for Air Borne Systems (DRDO laboratory) to integrate indigenous mission systems onto modified A321s.
- Aircraft base: Airbus A321 is a twin‑engine, narrow‑body civil airframe selected for conversion.
Mission systems and functions
- AEW&C defined: Airborne Early Warning & Control — airborne radar, communications and mission computers for detection, tracking and battle management.
- Planned functions: Endurance, airborne surveillance, secure communications, situational awareness, command and control.
- Testing & induction: Flight testing with the Indian Air Force after integration; induction targeted in 2032–33.
Contracts, approvals and cost
- Contract date: 22 July 2026.
- CCS approval: Programme cleared July 2025.
- Outlay: Rs 19,000 crore for the AEW&C Mk‑II programme.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- DRDO: Defence Research and Development Organisation, Ministry of Defence research agency.
- CABS full form: Centre for Air Borne Systems, DRDO lab responsible for airborne mission systems.
- Private sector role: Adani Defence & Aerospace is the first private Indian firm to handle a large‑scale airborne mission platform in this programme.