Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff addresses a ceremony marking the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of the indigenously developed NETRA Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, in Bengaluru, Karnataka | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) on Thursday got three upgraded advanced Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, significantly enhancing its “Eye in the Sky” capabilities amid persisting regional insecurities. Barring the Brazilian Embraer aircraft platform, the system has been fully indigenised, largely owing to innovations by the DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS).

At a function at Bengaluru-based CABS, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, accorded the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of the Netra AEW&C system, making the three upgraded Embraer platforms, having enhanced capabilities of deep surveillance, tracking and airspace management, available for operational deployment.

Sources in the DRDO said the upgrades and indigenisation efforts succeeded due to the fact that, among others, scientists at the CABS were able to replace imported with inhouse satellite communication system, ground data link system, electronic support measure and radar warning receiver.

Two of them — the antenna of satellite communication system and ground data link were previously imported from the U S and mounted on original Netra platforms, sources added.

“There was a large gap in detection capability of the original AEW&C system which has been overcome through indigenous solutions and the platforms are now compatible for future upgrades,” sources observed, adding that they are proud to achieve this milestone which can be compared globally.

Initially, the DRDO got this responsibility way back in 2004 and the first induction happened in 2017. If you compare with the US, they took up such an airborne surveillance project in 1960s and delivered in 1983, sources pointed out.

Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti said it was a proud moment to declare the AEW&C’s Final Operational Clearance. “This is not merely the culmination of an indigenous technology programme, but a celebration of the unique partnership between the Indian Air Force and the scientific community in fulfilling India’s quest for Atmanirbharta,” he said.

“We had to do a lot of innovation. It had to see a lot of perseverance, and above all, collaboration from every individual, every entity involved in the programme,” he said.

He lauded the collaboration among DRDO, the IAF and industry partners in the success of the programme as he outlined about the operational utilisation and reliability of the Netra AEW&C system during the Balakot strikes and Operation Sindoor..

Director General (Aeronautics), DRDO, K Rajalakshmi Menon, in her speech, spoke of the development journey of the Netra programme from inception to induction meeting all operational requirements of the IAF.

Flagging challenges encountered during the project and the measures adopted to achieve programme objectives, Menon emphasised the role of system engineering in planning and executing flight tests.

She also acknowledged the contributions of scientists associated with the programme.

In a video message, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), said that the national objective of achieving full operational capability for the Netra AEW&C system is particularly significant in the rapidly evolving geopolitical scenario.

“DRDO’s innovative research and development expertise, support from certification and quality assurance agencies, the efficiency and agility of Indian industry, and the operational insights of the services have emerged as a critical pillar in strengthening our national defence capabilities and achieving self-reliance in defence technologies,” Dixit said.

Besides this, DRDO has two other airborne surveillance projects to deliver for the forces.

Published on June 25, 2026