Yes, the Phalcon/Condor has been grounded for some years now. I believe the US Navy paid $15 million for the E-3D it recently bought from the MoD as a trainer, so imagine Chile's price would be in that ball park also. I doubt the Israelis (or anyone else) could offer a comparable capability for a similar price. Also worth noting that Chile already operates the KC/C-135 (albeit it with the older CFM56-2 engine), so support, training, operational synergies to be had.

I would be amazed if Chile could afford the infrastructure to support an E3 unless the RAF sold it all as a complete package for a bargain price - mission sim , specialist mission prep radar support etc etc. I would also have thought the US would have a say in any re-export of E3 technology but if Boeing/NG sell support you could sort of see a UK/US deal for Chile.

Driving past Waddington today I noticed An E-3D on the taxiway without a rotadome. couldn't see what tail number though.

ZH105. When the MOD was looking at producing our own AWACS update under "Sustain Sentry", ZH105 was going to be the ground lab for evaluating new equipment - it would stay on the ground and allow the developers to "cut metal" for new wiring looms/data nets etc without affecting the remaining flying fleet. Phase one of Sustain Sentry produced the installation of a Mode S interrogator, but the rest of the project was lost in the SDSR.

Just the moment for the AEW to go technical. Thanks for the tax cut...wait....

An interesting 'EXCLUSIVE' that we were discussing here months ago.

Yes,
link here
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brit...sold-to-chile/

Thanks Nutloose, but my comment was more alluding to the tag of EXCLUSIVE (their capped up, not mine) for a story that's clearly bene around a while already.

I looked for the link after you mentioned it, by this link it appears we are still flying the odd one

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/reti...ncy-in-flight/

From browsing a certain South American forum - it would seem the rumours are that the 3 E-3Ds selected are ZH101/3/6 and the first expected to arrive in June.

I know they had a Phalcon previously but curious to know why Chile needs 3 AWACS. Where’s the threat?

<Tin foil hat on>

I guess they could keep the UK informed of air activity in a certain regional neighbour. Maybe even a little Link 11/16 activity?

One is a spares ship apparently

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....dcb1302ca8.jpg

I wonder if we will do conversion training for the Chileans in the U.K. or will they do it on delivery, or will the US do it.

Nice looking 767.

Word seems to be that they are over for four months or so airborne and sim training, and will take the aircraft back after that.

Just cockpit crew or backend as well? Are we selling them the sim(s)?

Details of E-3D AWACS Simulator

https://www.plexsys.com/mtc-programs-uk/