New Delhi: Adani Defence & Aerospace and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have entered into a landmark partnership to jointly develop India’s next-generation Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C-MKII) system for the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s indigenous defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Under the agreement, the two organisations will jointly develop, manufacture and integrate advanced airborne mission systems on six modified Airbus A321 aircraft for the IAF. The programme also includes 30 years of integrated logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and technical support, ensuring long-term operational readiness. The AEW&C-MKII platform is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force by 2032-33.
The collaboration combines DRDO’s expertise in defence research, mission systems and advanced surveillance technologies with Adani Defence & Aerospace’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing, systems integration and lifecycle support. Together, they aim to deliver one of India’s most sophisticated indigenous airborne surveillance platforms.
Often referred to as the “eyes in the sky,” Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft are among the most critical assets in modern aerial warfare. They provide long-range surveillance, early detection of airborne and surface threats, and real-time command and control capabilities, enabling faster operational decisions and improved battlefield coordination.
The AEW&C-MKII platform is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Air Force’s situational awareness, force coordination and network-centric warfare capabilities. Once operational, it will be integrated with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), the nationwide network that links surveillance, air defence and operational resources in real time. This integration is expected to strengthen India’s air defence architecture by enabling faster decision-making, seamless battlespace coordination and improved operational response.
The programme also marks a milestone for India’s private defence sector, with Adani Defence & Aerospace becoming the first private company in the country to be entrusted with the development, integration and lifecycle support of an airborne mission platform of this scale and complexity.
Globally, only a handful of countries—including the United States, France, Israel, China and Sweden—have developed indigenous AEW&C capabilities. With the AEW&C-MKII programme, India is set to join this select group, reinforcing its strategic self-reliance in advanced airborne surveillance and defence technologies.
The collaboration represents a major advancement in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the country’s air power and national security capabilities in the years ahead.
