CCS gives nod to acquire 2 AWACS from Israel

On 1st March 2016 Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the proposal to acquire two more Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS). 
•    These surveillance aircraft will be bought with 7500 crore rupees under a tripartite agreement with Israel and Russia.
•    The decision to this effect was taken ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel later in 2016. 
•    PM Modi will be the first Indian PM to visit Israel.
•    AWACS are advanced radars mounted on an aircraft to give 360-degree coverage to detect incoming aircraft and missiles at long ranges. 
•    It can help monitor the military build-up, troop and aircraft movements nearly 200 km while flying.
•    India had procured three Phalcon AWACS, Israeli radars mounted on Russian IL-76 transport aircraft, in 2003 at cost of 1 billion dollars. 
•    These 3 AWACS were included in Indian Air Force in January 2009.