India buy AWACS from Israel to keep track of enemies amid tension with China, will spend $ 200 million

The Narendra Modi government is set to complete the acquisition of two PHALCON Aerial Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) early next week amid an ongoing standoff with the People's Liberation Army of China in Ladakh. India has three PHALCON AWACS with 360 degree rotating rotodomes and two AWACS manufactured by DRDO. At the same time, China has 28 and Pakistan has seven, which serves to give a command to the airstrikes under adverse conditions.

The government is ready for the entire process. The draft acquisition was placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security last week. This is the second time it has reached CCS. Last time, the CCS sent the proposal back to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and sought some clarification.

The PHALCON radar costs about $ 100 million. At the same time, its platform is also worth 100 million dollars. The radar and platform will be manufactured in Israel. It will take about two to three years for the full system to come to India.

The need for this was first felt during the Pakistani airstrike after the 26 February Balakot attack by the Indian Air Force. When Pakistan was circling with two Swedish-built AWACS to detect and remove any intrusions into its airspace, the Indian Air Force felt insecure at times due to a lack of resources. At the same time, the need was felt in the sky due to China's unilateral aggression in eastern Ladakh and reluctance to improve the situation even after the special representatives on both sides agreed.

Besides, the Modi government has decided to pursue road connectivity with the Border Roads Organization towards the Daulat Beg Oldi sector. The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked for permission to cut the Darbuk-Shyok-DBO road to connect the DBO through Murbo as a fortification.

The BRO has already constructed a road from Murgo to Sasser Brangasa, which is located at the mouth of Cesare La. Even though Cesare La is a snow-clad moraine, the BRO can build a road that is present and under a tunnel. Once the road is built in the future, it will help the Indian Army rapidly move troops from the Siachen sector to the sub-sector north on a need-to-know basis.

Apart from the high-value AWACS, the Indian Army is also acquiring 200 tactical drones for its battalion commanders so that the immediate war theater is transparent. This drone has been developed and tested locally in collaboration with DRDO.