Historical Background

The need to develop indigenous AWACS/AEW&C was felt in the country in the early 1980s. In order to realize vital technological capabilities towards this objective, a Project Office called Airborne Surveillance Warning and Control (ASWAC) was formed in July 1985. ASWAC, the lead project organization, was formed to pursue R&D activities related to indigenous AEW&C System development.

As a follow up to work done at ASWAC, a Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) was established on 01 February 1991 and entrusted with the responsibility of design, development, testing, evaluation and certification of state of the art airborne surveillance systems.

In pursuant to this mandate CABS has developed and delivered the first indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System to IAF.