With the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handing over the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the programme has reached a major milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance in advanced aerospace and defence technologies.

The FOC comes nearly nine years after the system received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2017, certifying that the platform has completed operational evaluation and is ready for full-fledged service.

What is Netra AEW&C?

Netra is India’s first indigenously developed Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. Mounted on the Brazilian-made Embraer EMB-145 aircraft, it functions as an airborne surveillance and battle management platform capable of detecting, tracking and identifying airborne threats over long distances.

Unlike ground-based radars, which are limited by terrain and the Earth’s curvature, an AEW&C aircraft operates at high altitude, enabling it to monitor vast stretches of airspace and detect aircraft, missiles and drones much earlier.

Often referred to as an “eye in the sky”, the system provides commanders with a real-time picture of the aerial battlefield.

How does it work?

The aircraft is equipped with an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, one of the most advanced radar technologies available today. Instead of mechanically rotating, the radar electronically steers its beams, allowing it to detect and track multiple targets simultaneously with greater speed and accuracy.

Netra also integrates several advanced mission systems, including Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Electronic Counter Measures (ECM), secure communication systems, Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) data links, and a self-protection suite. The platform also has air-to-air refuelling capability, allowing it to remain airborne for extended surveillance missions.

Information from these sensors is processed through sophisticated mission software that fuses data into a single operational picture, enabling operators to identify threats, assign targets and coordinate combat operations.

Why is it important?

Airborne Early Warning and Control systems are considered force multipliers in modern warfare. They provide early warning of incoming aircraft, missiles and drones while directing friendly fighter aircraft and air defence assets during combat.

By acting as an airborne command and control centre, Netra enhances situational awareness, supports network-centric warfare and significantly improves the IAF’s ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats.

The system is particularly valuable in managing large-scale air operations, monitoring border areas and providing surveillance over maritime regions where ground radar coverage is limited.

Senior IAF officials have stated that Netra proved its operational reliability during the Balakot air strikes as well as Operation Sindoor. The platform provided continuous surveillance and enhanced situational awareness, demonstrating the maturity of the indigenous system under operational conditions.

The FOC formally validates the system’s performance, reliability and operational capability after years of testing and deployment.

The Netra programme represents a successful collaboration between DRDO, the Indian Air Force, certification agencies such as CEMILAC and DGAQA, and several Indian industry partners.

Developing an AEW&C platform requires expertise across multiple domains, including radar technology, electronic warfare, avionics, mission software, aircraft integration and systems engineering. The programme involved extensive all-weather flight trials before entering service.

Its successful induction has significantly reduced India’s dependence on imported airborne surveillance platforms while strengthening the country’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.

The IAF currently operates six airborne early warning aircraft, three indigenous Netra AEW&C systems and three Phalcon AWACS. The three Netra aircraft, flown by No. 200 Squadron from Bhisiana, Punjab, have already been operationally deployed, including during Operation Sindoor. The FOC marks the completion of all user trials, certifying the platform for full operational service.

The fleet is set to expand with six upgraded Netra Mk-1A aircraft featuring enhanced electronic warfare systems, longer-range radar and improved integration with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). Further ahead, the Rs 19,000-crore Netra Mk-2 programme will see six Airbus A321-based AEW&C aircraft equipped with indigenous radars offering over 500 km detection range, wider coverage and greater mission endurance.

As modern battlefields witness the increasing use of stealth aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems, airborne surveillance platforms like Netra will play an increasingly central role in maintaining air superiority.

The FOC of Netra therefore marks not just the completion of a successful indigenous programme, but also an important step in building a more capable, network-centric and self-reliant Indian Air Force.