+ghostrider883 516 Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) IAF Statement: The first of the three Indian Air Force AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) platform arrived in India from Israel today. The giant IL-76 configured in its new avatar was escorted by three Mig-29 and Jaguar aircraft each that took off from an advance fighter airbase of South Western Air Command (SWAC). The fighter formations caught up with the AWACS mid-air and escorted it as it entered the Indian FIR (Flight Information Region), till safe touchdown at the Jamnagar airbase, close to midday, today. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SWAC, Air Marshal KD Singh, Air Defence Commander Air Vice Marshal P Singh and the AOC Jamnagar, Air Commodore C Hari Kumar and air warriors of the airbase welcomed the crew of the AWACS aircraft that included the Commanding Officer of the first AWACS squadron, Group Captain B Saju. Their maiden touchdown on Indian soil also marks the first landing of the AWACS in an IAF airbase. "It was a great feeling to be escorted by our fighters and it feels really good to be back", said Group Captain B Saju upon arrival. Flown by a full complement of IAF pilots belonging to the newly formed squadron from Ovda International airport, located in southern Israel, the aircraft undertook an eight-and-a-half hour's flight skirting around several countries taking the aerial route over the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea before landing at Jamnagar. The aircraft is slated to arrive at Palam airport tomorrow where an induction ceremony is scheduled on May 28. The AWACS are slated to operate from the Agra airbase under Central Air Command and frenetic preparations ahead of its first arrival to join the extended fleet of the IL-76 family are complete. Edited May 25, 2009 by ghostrider883 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nesher 629 Posted May 25, 2009 nice...! saw one flying about 2 weeks ago.. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atreides 144 Posted May 26, 2009 (edited) Very kewl. Now you guys can keep a closer eye on Pakistan and China. Good for you guys. Edited May 26, 2009 by Atreides Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Typhoid 231 Posted May 26, 2009 sweet! love to take a hop Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lagger123987 0 Posted May 26, 2009 (edited) Never mind...thought it was an acronym confusion IAF=Indian Air Force, IAF=Israeli Air Force... Edited May 26, 2009 by lagger123987 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atreides 144 Posted May 27, 2009 Never mind...thought it was an acronym confusion IAF=Indian Air Force, IAF=Israeli Air Force... IAF= Indian Air Force. IDF/AF=Israeli defence forces Air Force. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted May 27, 2009 While the Il-76 is big, it's not HUGE. That's the C-5 and An-124. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atreides 144 Posted May 27, 2009 Saw the AN-225 at the Paris air show now that is one big mutha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted May 28, 2009 Yes, but there's only one of those, so what's the odds of you seeing it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+ghostrider883 516 Posted May 30, 2009 (edited) More pics...IL-76 PHALCON KW-3551 Edited May 30, 2009 by ghostrider883 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+ghostrider883 516 Posted June 10, 2009 Inside the IL-76 PHALCON Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Typhoid 231 Posted June 10, 2009 very nice. I like the interior shots. looks vaguely familiar.............. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+ghostrider883 516 Posted March 26, 2010 (edited) India receives second AWACS, to be deployed in Agra New Delhi, Mar 25 (PTI) India today received the second of the three contracted Israeli-made Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control System at the Jamnagar air base, giving it the second 'eye in the sky' for enhanced surveillance capabilities. The second IL-76 AWACS arrived in Jamnagar, Gujarat from Israel in the evening and will be deployed in Agra, IAF officials said here. With the arrival of the second AWACS, officials said the IAF can keep an eye on both the eastern and western front at the same time and with the induction of the third system, expected later this year, virtually covering the entire nation. The system, primarily used for detection of incoming hostile cruise missiles and aircraft from hundreds of kilometres away, can also direct air defence fighters during combat operations against enemy jets. It also helps detect troop build-up across the border. The tail no. is probably KW-3552 Edited March 26, 2010 by ghostrider883 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gr.Viper 131 Posted March 28, 2010 It seems they don't have much space for mice in that screen room. How are they going to play Quake? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shotdown 8 Posted March 28, 2010 It seems they don't have much space for mice in that screen room. How are they going to play Quake? Freetrack perhaps? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZeroFilth 3 Posted April 5, 2010 Beautiful plane indeed. about someone who asked what were the odds of seeing the An-225 for real, i had my chance here in Brazil when it brought the Mil-35's the Air Force bought for patrolling the Amazon Forest... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
censored 0 Posted April 16, 2010 India also announced recently that they are initiating talks to purchase an additional three Phalcon AEW aircraft, in addition to the three covered under the current contract. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/04/09/340359/india-requests-deal-for-three-more-aew-aircraft.html Six AWACS - probably enough to cover two fronts on a 24-7 basis. That's a serious upgrade in India's defensive capabilities. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted April 16, 2010 Only in theory. In practice at least one bird will be down for maintenance/overhaul. That's enough for one continuous orbit or 2 that don't have to run 24/7. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derk 265 Posted April 16, 2010 Well, looks like it went better than this one..... and this pair Hou doe, Derk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stratos 3,166 Posted April 26, 2010 What is different in this plane and the A50? I supose that this one being more modern will be better, but why? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted April 26, 2010 A-50 = Il-76 w/Russian radar PHALCON = Il-76 w/Israeli radar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
