From correspondents in Delhi, India, 08:32 PM IST

The delivery of the Israeli Phalcon airborne warning and control systems (AWACS), termed India's eye in the sky, is likely to be delayed till the beginning of next year due to technical issues, a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) officer said Thursday.

'The delivery of the first AWACS is likely to be delayed until January and February next year,' IAF vice chief Air Marshal P.V. Naik told reporters here.

The first of the three AWACS, being installed by Israel Aircraft Industries on Russian Il-78 platforms, was expected to be delivered by October. The AWACS will bolster India's air-surveillance capability multi-fold by enabling early detection of incoming hostile aircraft and directing suitable counter measures.

The $1.1 billion deal for the AWACS was signed in 2004.

"A lot of integration and training is involved before induction. Our men are being trained in Israel. As we are getting the AWACS for the first time, it is taking longer than we envisaged," Naik said.

The three aircraft, which were taken from Russia to Israel by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), are being modified in a hangar at Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion international airport.

The IAF is likely to purchase three more AWACS, taking the number to six. The delivery is slated to be completed by 2012.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)