India Seeks New Aircraft for Sigint Plus Other Roles
AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » MAY 3, 2013 by NEELAM MATHEWS IAI-Elta will likely re-bid its airborne integrated signal intelligence system (Aisis), seen here on a Gulfstream G550 model, for a new Indian requirement. (Photo: Chris Pocock) May 3, 2013, 11:09 AM Within the next month, the Indian Air Force ( IAF ) will re-release a request for proposal ( RFP ) for nine aircraft to perform signals intelligence (Sigint), communications jamming (Comjam), ground survey and target towing roles. The previous RFP released four years ago shortlisted Embraer and Israel Aerospace Industries ( IAI ), both offering the IAI -Elta airborne integrated signal intelligence system (Aisis). But delays in defining India’s offset policy resulted in price escalation from the bidders, leading the Indian defense ministry to cancel that RFP . The new RFP specifies a larger aircraft that can carry 10 passengers. T...