New Delhi, October 10
Airborne surveillance capabilities of the country are set to take a giant leap ahead with India today signing a trilateral agreement with Russia and Israel over the purchase of Phalcon Airborne Early Warning Command and Control systems.

The approximately $ 1 billion deal for the purchase of four to six systems was signed with the representatives of the other two countries by Defence Secretary Ajay Prasad in South Block. The Israeli-produced Phalcons would be mounted on the Russian-made IL-76 transport aircraft.

On behalf of Israel, Maj-Gen Yasi Ben Hanan (retd) initialled the deal and from the Russian side, it was signed by Mr Denisov Alexander of Rosorbon Export.

General Hanan is head of Sibat, the Israeli Defence Ministry’s licensing agency for Phalcon and Mr Denisov is the First Deputy Chairman of Russia’s State Committee for Military Technical Cooperation. The trilateral pact is important as it forges three-way military ties between India, Russia and Israel.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Defence said a Memorandum of Principles and Order of Cooperation was signed between the three countries.

Ministry sources said the memorandum broadly defines the responsibilities of the three parties. Although price negotiations are still in progress, according to the memorandum, Israel will buy the IL-76 aircraft from Uzbekistan which will go to Russia for mounting of the new high-power engine.