India To Buy A-50 AEW Aircraft From Russia

Russia and India are reportedly planning on signing a contract to supply India with A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, according to Beriev Aircraft Company General Director-General Designer Igor Garivadsky. 

“We plan on signing a deal with the Republic of India to deliver the A-50 aircraft,” Garivadsky was quoted as saying.

The A-50 aircraft are intended to detect, track and determine the origin of air and surface targets, as well as conduct surveillance, command, control and communications functions for command posts of automatic control systems, and give guidance in hitting air and surface targets, according to Ria Novosti.

The planes have a maximum take-off weight of 190,000 kilograms (419,000 lbs) and can fly for four hours straight without refueling, carrying up to five flight crew members. 


Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Col. Igor Klimov told Ria Novosti that officially the drills are to start on August 29, but prior to that the Indian pilots will be able to see the areas of the forthcoming flights and test their piloting skills on modern simulators in the Lipetsk State Aviation Center. The anti-aircraft personnel will have the chance to familiarize themselves with anti-aircraft missile systems at the air force training center in Gatchina, Leningrad Region.