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Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System

Kumari Sonali

Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System:

India’s indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system has received Final Operational Clearance (FOC), marking its readiness for full operational use by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

  • Netra is India’s 1st indigenously developed airborne surveillance and battle-management system, developed by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • India is the 5th country, after the United States, Russia, Israel and China, to develop an indigenous AEW&C capability, strengthening its defence technology base and self-reliance.
  • The system is integrated on the Brazilian Embraer EMB-145I aircraft platform and functions as an “eye in the sky” by detecting, tracking, identifying and monitoring airborne as well as maritime targets.
  • Netra is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, mission computer, secure communication networks, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Communication Support Measures (CSM) and self-protection systems.
  • AEW&C systems act as force multipliers in modern warfare by providing early warning, real-time battlefield awareness and airborne command-and-control support for fighter aircraft and air-defence assets.
  • India’s airborne situational awareness programme began in the early 1980s under Project Guardian, using a modified HS-748 Avro aircraft as the Airborne Surveillance Platform (ASP); the programme suffered a setback after the 1999 Arakkonam crash and was later revived in 2004.
  • Netra proved its operational value during the 2019 Balakot strikes and Operation Sindoor in 2025, where it enhanced surveillance, situational awareness and network-centric operations of the IAF.
  • Since the system is developed indigenously, India has greater control over its software, source codes, interface documents and upgrade pathways, allowing confidential capability enhancement without dependence on foreign manufacturers.
  • The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved six more upgraded Netra Mk-1A systems, while the future Netra Mk-2 programme on Airbus A321 aircraft is expected to further strengthen India’s airborne surveillance, network-centric warfare and defence self-reliance.