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Sanjay Suri in London
Indian software experts are developing new-generation software to enable aerial military surveillance, according to a well-placed defence source.
The surveillance software will be mounted on three A-50 AWACS [airborne warning and control systems] to be built for the Indian Air Force by the Russian firm Beriev.
The surveillance aircraft will mark a new development with the aircraft built in Russia, new state-of-the-art communications systems from the Israeli Aircraft Industries, and surveillance software developed in India.
An agreement on development of the aircraft was reached at Le Bourget in France, according to reports from the Paris Air Show, the world's largest show bringing aviation businessmen together from around the world.
The aircraft will be the Ilyushin-76 TD transport aircraft with a PS-90A engine, according to these reports.
India has been working to induct aerial surveillance aircraft for some time. An aircraft with Russian radar and communications systems was tested by the IAF in Chandigarh last year, but was rejected because it did not meet requirements, particularly in communications and surveillance software.
Beriev is now fitting out a new aircraft with surveillance software developed by Indian programmers and communications systems installed by IAI. The aircraft tested was the A-50 Eh. The new aircraft is being named A-50 Ehl.
A team of Indian software experts has been picked to work closely with the Russian firm and the Israeli Aircraft Industries on the project, according to the source.
The three surveillance aircraft are due to be delivered to India in 2005.
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