Israel Aerospace Industries is in different stages of negotiations with four countries that have shown interest in the Airbus Defence & Space C295 medium transport, fitted with an airborne early warning and control system suite supplied by its Elta Systems subsidiary.

Airbus has previously flown one of its C295 development aircraft with an aerodynamic model of an AEW rotodome installed.

Elta is offering a mission system including a radar, command, control and communications equipment and electronic intelligence sensors.

An Israeli source says the proposed AEW version of the C295 is an attractive option for air forces that already use the European design for transport applications. The current interest includes some nations that currently use the twin-turboprop, the source reveals.

Airbus says an AEW version of the C295 would have a mission endurance of up to 9h, and be capable of operating at an altitude of up to 26,000ft (7,930m). The company is exhibiting a Brazilian air force-operated C295 at the 25-30 March FIDAE show in Santiago, Chile.