In a boost to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, DRDO’s Center for Airborne Systems (CABS) has signed a contract with AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) in New Delhi to convert 6 A321 aircraft from commercial to ‘green configuration’. This will pave the way for the development and production of the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) MKII program. Additionally, a separate contract was also signed with Ahmedabad-based Adani Defense Systems & Technologies (ADSTL) to act as the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) of Mission Systems for the AEW&C MKII programme.
This contract was signed between the Director of CABS and CEO of AIESL and Head of ADSTL-Airborne Platform in the presence of Defense Secretary, Department of Defense R&D and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on July 22, 2026.
Strengthening India’s defense ecosystem through indigenous Innovation, DRDO today entered in partnership with M/s AI Engineering Services Ltd( AIESL) and M/s Adani Defense Services & Technologies Ltd ( ADSTL) for development and production of Airborne Early Warning and Control pic.twitter.com/2RO8Zsi7bE
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) July 22, 2026
Will help in neutralizing threats over long distances
CABS is responsible for integrating the mission systems on the modified AEW&C MK II platform delivered by DRDO (in collaboration with ADSTL as DcPP) by Airbus Defense and Space (Original Equipment Manufacturer). CABS and ADSTL will also conduct flight testing of AEW&C MK II aircraft in collaboration with the Indian Air Force to obtain certification from airworthiness agencies – Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance.
DRDO’s AEW&C Mk II system (which houses the CABS nodal laboratory) will provide improved endurance, advanced airborne surveillance, secure communication, better situational awareness and better command and control capabilities. This will significantly boost air defense capabilities and help in neutralizing long-range threats.
The inclusion of industries reaffirms the government’s commitment to building a strong ecosystem for innovation, research and manufacturing in the country and achieving self-reliance.
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