EL/W-2090

The IAI EL/W-2090 is an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) radar system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elta Electronics Industries of Israel. Its primary objective is to provide intelligence to maintain air superiority and conduct surveillance. The system is currently in-service with the Indian Air Force.

Design and features
The EL/W-2090 is a further development of EL/M-2075 and EL/W-2085.

The EL/W-2090 uses the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), an active phased array radar. This radar consists of an array transmit/receive (T/R) modules that allow a beam to be electronically steered, making a physically rotating rotodome unnecessary. AESA radars operate on a pseudorandom set of frequencies and also have very short scanning rates, which makes them difficult to detect and jam.

Sale to India
In March 2004, Israel and India signed a US$1.1 billion deal according to which IAI would deliver the Indian Air Force three AEW&C radar systems. India signed a separate deal with the Ilyushin Corporation of Russia for the supply of three Il-76 A-50 heavy air-lifters, which were to be used as platforms for these radar systems, for an additional US $500 million. In 2008, media reports suggested that India and Israel were about to sign a deal for three additional radars. India received its first AWACS on 25 May 2009. It landed in Jamnagar AFB in Gujarat completing its 8 hour long journey from Israel.

Sale to China
China's purchase of the system in 2000 was denied due to pressure from the United States.

Operators

 * 🇮🇳 - Three in service & two ordered on an Ilyushin Il-76 platform. IAF is looking to induct a total of six aircraft.