March 31, 2014: With its three-aircraft AEW&C programme progressing satisfactorily, the DRDO has formally announced the re-launch of its AWACS programme and has called for vendor interest for the supply of six suitably modified aircraft. The request calls for designing, structurally modifying, certifying and supplying six aircraft platforms for the AWACS role. The request also stipulates design and manufacture of the AWACS Antenna Dome (about 10 metres in diameter) attachment pylon structure and dome installation, provisions for installation of all external and internal elements of the mission systems, supply and integration of suitable power source and distribution circuit for AWACS Mission Systems, suitable cooling system for Mission Systems, modification of the 'green aircraft' as defined in mission system Interface Control Documents (MSICDs). The supply also includes avionics systems and ferrying of the 'blue aircraft' to India once all modifications and tests are complete. The indigenous AWACS programme was cleared by the government in January 2013. The programme has been rebooted since the tragic crash of an HS-748 test platform in January 1999, in which eight DRDO scientists were killed. Vendors likely to be interested in bidding for the new requirement include Boeing, Airbus Military, Saab, Sukhoi/UAC/Ilyushin/Antonov, Bombardier and others.