EL/W-2090
| Company type | Military radar system |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
| Predecessor | EL/M-2075 |
| Founder | Israel Aerospace Industries, Elta Electronics Industries |
| Headquarters | Israel Aerospace Industries: Tel Aviv , Israel |
Area served | India, Israel |
| Products | Airborne early warning and control radar systems |
| Parent | Israel Aerospace Industries |
The IAI EL/W-2090 represents an advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) radar solution engineered by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with Elta Electronics Industries of Israel. Its core mission is to deliver critical intelligence for sustaining air superiority and executing comprehensive surveillance. This radar system is actively deployed by the Indian Air Force.
This model is a progression of the earlier EL/M-2075 platform, which the Federation of American Scientists recognized in 1999 as the foremost AEW&C technology worldwide.
Design and features
Building upon the foundations of the EL/M-2075 and EL/W-2085 systems, the EL/W-2090 incorporates an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. This technology utilizes a matrix of transmit/receive (T/R) modules that facilitate electronic beam steering, thereby removing the necessity for a mechanically rotating radome. AESA radars function across pseudorandom frequency bands with rapid scanning capabilities, significantly improving resistance to both detection and electronic jamming.
India
In March 2004, a trilateral agreement involving Israel, India, and Russia resulted in IAI securing a contract valued at US$1.1 billion to supply three AEW&C radar units to the Indian Air Force, each costing around $350 million. Simultaneously, India contracted Russia’s Ilyushin for three Il-76 A-50 aircraft to serve as platforms for these radar systems, at a cost of $500 million. The initial aircraft was delivered on 25 May 2009 at Jamnagar Air Force Station in Gujarat, marking the Indian Air Force’s first acquisition of AWACS capability. All deliveries were finalized by 2011.
India had intentions to procure two more AWACS units but encountered budgetary constraints; by 2017, while the government was prepared to allocate $800 million, original equipment manufacturers demanded approximately $1.3 billion due to rising costs of Il-76 aircraft. By September 2018, a deal near $800 million awaited approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security, aiming to integrate the Phalcon radar into the IACCS. In August 2020, India moved towards approving a roughly $1 billion contract with expected delivery timelines within three to four years, including modernization efforts. Nevertheless, as of 2022, this acquisition process stalled, prompting the Indian Air Force to explore leasing AEW&C platforms from international sources as an interim measure until domestic Netra Mk 2 systems become operational.
China
Negotiations between Israel and China regarding the sale of Phalcon radar systems began in 1994, initially covering four units with possibilities for eight. The agreement was formalized in July 1996, with Russia joining the collaboration in 1997. The first Il-76 aircraft intended for modification arrived in Israel in 1999. Although initially silent, the United States publicly opposed this transaction in October 1999 due to concerns over altering military dynamics in the Taiwan Strait and threatened to withdraw aid to Israel if the sale proceeded.
On 12 July 2000, Prime Minister Ehud Barak declared that Israel would terminate the agreement. The official cancellation notice was dispatched later that month, accompanied by hopes that the incoming Bush administration might reconsider. In March 2002, Israel consented to pay China a compensation package totaling $350 million—exceeding the $160 million advance payment received. Following this, China developed its indigenous KJ-2000 AEW&C system, and no EL/W-2090 units were delivered under this order.
Operators
- Israel – Operated by the Israeli Air Force, where it is known as "Nachshon-Eitam"
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- Indian Air Force – Currently, three aircraft are active within the fleet