On August 24, 2012 the first fully modified aircraft for indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems landed on Indian soil at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), DRDO, at the Hindustan Aeronautics Laboratory Airport, Bengaluru. It was received by representatives from CABS and its work centres — Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and Indian Air Force. Dr Christopher, the programme director and Dr K Tamil Mani, chief executive, CEMILAC were present to give a hearty welcome to the crew.
The acceptance of the aircraft was completed over a period of 15 days at Embraer Facilities in Brazil by a team from CABS and its work centres, CEMILAC, DGAQA and IAF. This aircraft, the first to be delivered by M/s Embraer for which the contract was signed in 2008, will undergo development flight trials in India beginning of 2013. The next aircraft is expected to arrive in December 2012.
