The Indian Air Force (IAF) issued a Request for Information (RFI) on January 5, 2026, for six Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to bolster aerial surveillance, network-centric warfare, and air defense amid escalating threats from China and Pakistan. Key requirements include 10-hour endurance or mid-air refueling, 45,000 ft service ceiling, operations from 10,000 ft high-elevation airfields like those in Ladakh, and advanced 360-degree AESA radars detecting drones to hypersonic threats, ESM, CSM, C2 systems, and data links. With only five operational platforms—three Phalcon AWACS on Il-76 and two DRDO Netra on Embraer—this acquisition addresses critical shortfalls, enhancing joint operations and deterrence along volatile borders. From India’s strategic lens, it counters adversary AWACS superiority, fortifies Himalayan airspace control, and invites global bids while prioritizing indigenous integration for self-reliance.