India’s eye in the sky to be major attraction at RD parade
January 19th, 2010 - 5:20 pm ICT by ANIPraful Kumar Singh
New Delhi, Jan 19 (ANI): The Indian Air Force’s eye in the sky, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) platform fitted on IL-76 aircraft, will be a major attraction for the Republic Day parade 2010.
AWACS enable the IAF to project itself as a formidable force and this sophisticated platform adds a new dimension to the Air Force’s capability to guard the Indian skies.
Air Vice-Marshal M. Matheswaran, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, said that a total of 28 aircrafts flying at heights varying from 60 metres to 500 metres above ground level will take part in the Republic Day fly past.
He further said that AWACS, which is a dynamic asset in the air and can be mobilised in a quick time to counter an emerging threat and tilt the balance in India’s favour, will be showcased for the first time to the nation and will be major attraction at the Republic Day parade.
India is planning to induct two more AWACS by the year-end. The AWACS are operating from the Agra airbase under the Central Air Command. First AWACS was inducted on May 28, 2009, in the IAF.
Air Vice-Marshal Matheswaran said: “The second AWACS will indicted in April followed by third one in September.”
India’s most potent force multiplier, AWACS, is capable of tracking down incoming missiles. The all weather system is capable of engaging 60 targets simultaneously and has a range of 400 km.
It has radar that can help detect cruise missiles or aircrafts at ranges much beyond the capabilities of present systems. It can also collate information about troop movements and missile launches on ground and even intercept highly secured communication networks of the enemy.
The IAF AWACS would help pilots find hitherto unconceivable space and room for tactical manoeuvres in the air under controlled directions that would give them an edge over their adversaries at all times.
Replying to question on fog being an hindrance to the IAF’s fly past on Republic Day parade, Air Vice-Marshal Matheswaran said: “If weather permits then only we can go ahead with the fly past on the Republic Day.”
He added that weather at this time of the year is same and he himself has led an IAF contingent on the Republic Day. (ANI)
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