The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully completed the first in-flight refuelling of its Embraer 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) by an IL-78 tanker aircraft.

The milestone comes nine months after the first Embraer AEW&C platform in IOC configuration was handed over to the IAF during Aero India 2017. It was the first time the aircraft had been shown with its indigenously developed mission systems. India has acquired three “green” 145s for conversion to the AEW&C configuration.

The AEW&C System – developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in cooperation with the IAF – features a state-of-the art Active Electronically Scanned Radar, Secondary Surveillance Radar, Electronic and Communication Counter Measures, LOS (Line of Sight) and beyond LOS data link, voice communication system and self-protection suite.

The IAF reportedly operates six IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft. India has twice been on the verge of acquiring Airbus A330 MRTT tankers to upgrade its fleet, but contract negotiations have fallen through in the final stages on both occasions.