DRDO Statement: The first fully modified Aircraft for indigenously developed Indian Airborne Warning and Control System (AEW&C) aircraft, the
EMB-145I took to the skies on 6 December 2011, as part of its first maiden flight at Embraer's facilities at Sao Jose dos Campos in Brazil with about 1000 Mission System Components provided by CABS, DRDO. These include the critical item – AESA (Active Electronic Scanning Antenna) Radar Antenna developed by DRDO and certified from ANAC, International FAR Certification Agency.
“The flight is a major milestone towards realizing the dream of Indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System, which will put India into a Select Club of Countries” said SA to RM congratulating DRDO Scientists and M/s Embraer Engineers on this achievement.
While this Aircraft will now undergo full certification process over next two year period, India will receive two aircrafts by middle of next year. Here, the Mission Systems developed by Various DRDO Labs will be integrated with these aircrafts. Currently , these systems are undergoing ground integration and evaluation at CABS (Centre for Airborne Systems), Bangalore.
More photos by a Brazilian photographer/planespotter
here (thanks Anon in comments for flagging this!).
Photo / DRDO & Embraer 
