Adani Defence and Aerospace, along with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), have signed a significant agreement to develop India’s next-generation Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) program for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This collaboration marks Adani as the first private Indian company to lead the development, integration, and lifecycle support of such a large-scale airborne mission platform.
Under this agreement, Adani Defence and DRDO will work together to develop, manufacture, and integrate airborne mission systems on six modified Airbus A321 aircraft for the IAF. The program encompasses integrated logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and technical support for a period of up to 30 years, with the planned induction of AEW&C-MKII set for 2032-33.
AEW&C aircraft play a crucial role in modern air warfare, serving as “eyes in the skies” by offering long-range surveillance, early threat detection, and real-time command and control capabilities. The introduction of AEW&C-MKII is expected to significantly boost the IAF’s situational awareness, force coordination, and network-centric operations.
This partnership leverages DRDO’s expertise in defense research and mission systems alongside Adani Defence & Aerospace’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing, systems integration, and lifecycle support. The collaboration aims to create one of India’s most advanced indigenous airborne surveillance platforms, positioning India among a select group of countries with indigenous AEW&C capabilities.
The integration of AEW&C-MKII with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS) will enhance national air defense by enabling faster decision-making, seamless battlespace coordination, and improved operational responsiveness.
