Explained | Netra AEW&C: India’s indigenous ‘eye in the sky’ that strengthens air power
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) issued the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate for India's indigenous Netra AEW&C (Airborn...
What Happened
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) issued the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate for India's indigenous Netra AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) system to the Indian Air Force on June 25, 2026.
- The FOC confirms that the Netra system meets all Air Staff Qualitative Requirements and is fully cleared for high-intensity combat operations.
- The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), a DRDO laboratory, led the design, system integration, and testing of the platform over several years.
- With this clearance, India joins an exclusive group of five nations globally — the US, Russia, Sweden, Israel, and now India — capable of developing an indigenous AEW&C system.
- The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the Netra Mark-2 programme worth ₹19,000 crore in July 2025, with the first Mk-2 aircraft expected to be delivered in 2026–27.
Static Topic Bridges
Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Systems
An AEW&C system is a flying radar platform that detects, tracks, identifies, and monitors airborne, surface, and maritime targets at ranges far beyond ground-based radar horizons. By operating at high altitude, it eliminates the curvature-of-earth limitation that restricts ground radars. The aircraft also serves as a command-and-control node, coordinating the response of fighter aircraft and surface-based air defence systems in real time.
- Netra Mk-1 is based on the Brazilian Embraer EMB-145I airframe, fitted with an indigenously developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar in a dorsal-mounted radome.
- The AESA radar provides approximately 240° azimuthal coverage and can detect aerial targets at ranges of up to 375 km.
- It can simultaneously detect and track over 200 aerial targets, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
- Over 75% of the Netra's mission suite comprises indigenous content.
- The upgraded Mk-2 version will add a nose-mounted antenna for near-360° coverage and detection ranges exceeding 500 km.
Connection to this news: The FOC marks the transition of Netra from a development platform to a fully combat-ready system, giving the IAF a self-reliant early warning capability that reduces dependence on foreign platforms like the Russian-origin Phalcon AWACS.
Network-Centric Warfare (NCW)
Network-Centric Warfare is a military doctrine that uses digital technology and networked communication to link all elements of the battlespace — sensors, decision-makers, and shooters — into a unified information grid. The AEW&C aircraft is the most critical airborne sensor-node in an NCW architecture. It enhances situational awareness, shortens the "observe-orient-decide-act" (OODA) loop, and enables coordinated multi-domain operations.
- Netra uses Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems for secure, encrypted real-time communications within a networked force.
- NCW capability is a stated priority in India's Joint Doctrine and the Integrated Theatre Commands being developed under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
- Comparable systems: US E-3 Sentry (AWACS), Israeli Phalcon (operated by IAF on IL-76 airframes), Swedish Saab 340 AEW.
Connection to this news: Netra's operational clearance significantly strengthens India's NCW capability by adding an indigenous node that can coordinate air defence operations and provide a tactical common operating picture across theatres.
Indigenous Defence Manufacturing and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'
The Netra programme illustrates the shift from licence-manufactured or imported platforms to indigenously designed defence systems under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. DRDO's CABS is one of the specialized laboratories tasked with developing complex airborne electronics, and the Netra is its flagship programme.
- Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 prioritises "Make in India" categories — Buy (Indian-IDDM), Buy (Indian), and Make — for all capital defence acquisitions.
- The iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework complements DRDO by inviting startups and private firms into niche defence technology development.
- Netra's indigenous content level (75%+) is a benchmark for comparable future programmes.
Connection to this news: The FOC for Netra is cited as a validation of India's capability to design, integrate, and field advanced airborne surveillance systems domestically, reducing vulnerability to technology denial by foreign suppliers.
Key Facts & Data
- Netra AEW&C is based on: Embraer EMB-145I airframe
- Developing agency: Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), DRDO
- Radar type: Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)
- Detection range: up to 375 km (Mk-1); exceeding 500 km (Mk-2)
- Azimuthal radar coverage: ~240° (Mk-1); near 360° (Mk-2 with nose antenna)
- Simultaneous track capacity: 200+ aerial targets
- Indigenous content: over 75% of mission suite
- Countries with indigenous AEW&C capability: USA, Russia, Sweden, Israel, India (5th)
- Netra Mk-2 project cost: ₹19,000 crore (approved July 2025)
- Mk-2 first delivery expected: 2026–27
- FOC certificate issued: June 25, 2026