Centre nods Rs 11,000 cr air surveillance project of DRDO for IAF

13 Sep 2021 CW Team

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved a nearly Rs 11,000 crore project of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop six new Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

It is in addition to the nearly $3 billion agreement for acquiring 56 C-295MW transport aircraft for the IAF, which was also approved by the Committee, to replace the ageing fleet of Avro 748 transport aircraft that first flew in 1961.

According to the media, while the CCS decision on the C-295 was the budgetary clearance for the actual signing of the agreement, the Committee has approved the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the DRDO project.

It implies that the DRDO will now be able to launch a Request for Proposal (RFP) for further work on the aircraft. As per the plan, the six will be taken from the Air India fleet, which suggests they will be A-319s and A-321 variants.

The original plan, which had also obtained an AON approval, was to acquire two larger A-330 jets, which were then to be revised and fitted with the AEW&C systems.

The six Airbus aircraft will be modified now, and the indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar will be installed on them.

The DRDO will issue RFP floating tenders for modification for the six-passenger aircraft. As Airbus is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the company is the frontrunner to win the contract.

Majority share of the Rs 11,000 crore will go in for modification and installing of the systems.

The actual cost of the aircraft is lower and would come to around Rs 1,100 crore for the six as this is a book transfer within the government itself.

Image Source

Also read: Indian Air Force gets advanced chaff technology developed by DRDO
Also read: Emergency landing strips for IAF to be built in 15 days: Nitin Gadkari

Infrastructure Urban

07 Oct 2025

India To Invest $37 Billion To Boost Petrochemical Capacity

India is set to become a major global player in the petrochemicals industry, driven by a planned capital expenditure of $37 billion (Rs 3.1 trillion) aimed at reducing import dependency and enhancing self-sufficiency, according to S&P Global Ratings.In its latest report titled “First China, Now India: Self-Sufficiency Goals Will Add To Petrochemicals Supply”, S&P said India’s large-scale capacity expansion—mirroring China’s earlier push—will likely intensify oversupply pressures in Asia’s petrochemical markets.Currently the world’s third-largest petrochemical consumer a..

Indian Railways Expands Global Exports Of Rail Equipment

Indian Railways has announced that it is rapidly emerging as a global exporter of railway equipment, including bogies, coaches, locomotives, and propulsion systems, under the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative.According to an official statement, India’s railway products are now reaching over 16 international markets, reflecting the country’s growing capacity to design, develop, and deliver world-class rail solutions.Metro coaches have been exported to Australia and Canada; bogies to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, and Australia; propulsion systems t..

RailTel Awards Rs 163 Million Contract To RTNS Technology

RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel), a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking, has awarded a domestic work order worth Rs 163 million to RTNS Technology Private Limited.The contract, issued on 30 September 2025, involves the supply and installation of equipment and related services for one of RailTel’s key customers. The project underscores RailTel’s commitment to advancing technology and communication infrastructure through collaboration with domestic system integrators.RTNS Technology Private Limited, an ISO-certified system integrator, provides comprehensive solutions for perim..