Year on, Navy turns down US Hawkeye deal

Instead, the Navy may look to DRDO for a carrier-based solution. DRDO is currently working with the IAF for a home-grown airborne early warning and control (AWACS) product.

The Navy’s Controller for Warship Production and Acquisition Vice Admiral J.S. Bedi told The Indian Express this afternoon, ‘‘First of all, the Hawkeye is too big. In light conditions, the endurance of the aircraft goes down from five to just one hour. And for an early warning aircraft to have the capability of staying for only one hour makes no sense. We have decided not to consider the Hawkeye.’’