The Defence Research and Development Organisation formally handed over the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control system to the Indian Air Force on 25 June 2026 at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru. The FOC certifies that the platform has completed all user trials and system validation and is now fully combat ready. This milestone marks the culmination of a development journey that began over two decades ago in 2003.
What Is an AEW&C System?
An Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system is a radar platform mounted on an aircraft that functions as a flying surveillance and command post. Unlike ground-based radars that are limited by the curvature of the Earth, an AEW&C aircraft operates at high altitudes and can detect low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and helicopters hundreds of kilometres away.
The “Control” aspect of the system makes it a true force multiplier. Onboard operators track friendly and hostile aircraft, direct fighter jets to intercept threats, vector aircraft to aerial refuelling tankers, and pass a real-time air picture to ground commanders. A single AEW&C platform can multiply the combat effectiveness of an entire fighter fleet by providing persistent eyes and a battle management brain in the sky.
India also operates three Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) mounted on Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft with Israeli EL/W-2090 radar. These provide near 360 degree coverage with longer endurance and greater battle management capability compared to the Netra. Both platforms together form the backbone of India’s airborne early warning capability.
The Netra Programme: Background and Development
The Netra programme began in 2003 when the IAF and DRDO jointly studied the feasibility of developing an indigenous AEW&C system to reduce India’s dependence on imported airborne surveillance platforms. Government approval came in 2004, and the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru was designated as the nodal laboratory for the project.
Three Embraer EMB-145I regional jet aircraft were procured from Brazil in 2008 at a cost of USD 210 million to serve as the airborne platform. The programme was initially valued at ₹1,800 crore. The aircraft were extensively modified with additional features including an in-flight refuelling system, satellite communication capability, enhanced electrical and cooling capacities, and multiple aerodynamic and structural changes.
The first fully modified aircraft with the indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar housed in a dorsal radome made its maiden flight in December 2011 at Embraer’s facilities in Brazil. It arrived in India in August 2012 for mission system integration. The first aircraft was handed over to the IAF at Aero India 2017, with the second and third following in 2019 and 2023 respectively.
Technical Specifications
The Netra system integrates multiple advanced technologies into a unified airborne surveillance platform:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Platform | Embraer EMB-145I (modified twin-engine regional jet) |
| Radar Type | Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) |
| Radar Coverage | 240 degrees (back-to-back planar arrays) |
| Detection Range | Up to 375 km (varies by target type) |
| Endurance | Approximately 9 hours (with one air-to-air refuelling) |
| Operating Altitude | Above 40,000 feet |
| Crew Configuration | 5 operator workstations plus rest crew |
DRDO Laboratories and Industry Partners
The development of Netra involved collaboration across multiple DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners:
- Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) - Overall programme management, system integration, IFF, mission computers and displays
- Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) - Primary radar design
- Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL) - Communication systems and data links
- Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) - Self-protection suite and electronic warfare measures
- Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) - Communication support measures
- National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) - Aerodynamic studies and flight modelling
- CEMILAC and DGAQA - Airworthiness certification and quality assurance
From IOC to FOC: The Journey
The Netra programme followed the standard two-stage certification process used for major Indian military aviation projects. Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) was granted in October 2017, certifying that the system was safe and usable in service even though some testing and capabilities were still being finalised. After IOC, the aircraft were inducted into service with the IAF’s No. 200 Squadron at Bhisiana Air Force Station near Bathinda, Punjab.
The Final Operational Clearance (FOC) represents the full and final certification confirming that the system has cleared its entire trials programme and meets all the qualitative requirements. It is ready for unrestricted frontline operations. The FOC handover ceremony on 25 June 2026 was presided over by Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.
The nine-year gap between IOC and FOC reflects the complexity of validating a system of systems that integrates radar, electronic warfare, communications, mission computing and aircraft modifications into a single cohesive platform. The programme also had to go through rigorous all-weather flight trials and operational validation before receiving final clearance. This IOC-then-FOC sequence is a well-established pattern in Indian indigenous defence programmes, most notably followed by the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
Combat Proven: Balakot and Operation Sindoor
Senior IAF officials confirmed that the Netra system proved its operational reliability and value well before receiving FOC. The platform was used extensively during the Balakot air strikes in February 2019 and more recently during Operation Sindoor, providing continuous airborne surveillance and enhanced situational awareness to commanders. The system’s performance in actual combat conditions contributed to the confidence that led to the grant of FOC.
How Netra Strengthens the IAF
The IAF currently operates just six airborne early warning aircraft: three indigenous Netra AEW&C systems and three Phalcon AWACS. Defence sources indicate that the IAF requires at least 18 such platforms to sustain operations on both the western and northern fronts while accounting for maintenance and training requirements.
By comparison, Pakistan already operates a larger AWACS fleet while China fields several dozen airborne early warning aircraft across multiple variants. The shortfall is compounded by the IAF’s limited fleet of mid-air refuellers. The FOC of Netra is therefore a significant step, but the gap remains substantial.
The Netra system enhances the IAF’s capabilities in several critical ways. It provides early warning of incoming aircraft, missiles and drones, directs friendly fighter aircraft and air defence assets during combat, and supports network-centric warfare by sharing real-time information with fighters and ground-based command centres. Its air-to-air refuelling capability allows it to remain airborne for extended surveillance missions, and its indigenous design gives the IAF the flexibility to adapt the system to evolving war scenarios through modifications.
Expanding the Fleet: Netra Mk1A and Mk2
Two indigenous programmes are under way to bridge the gap in India’s airborne early warning capability.
The Netra Mk1A programme will deliver six upgraded aircraft, also based on the Embraer EMB-145I platform. These will feature improved electronic warfare systems, a longer range radar with better detection of low-observability targets such as drones and stealth jets, and deeper integration with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) . The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the acceptance of necessity for this project in March 2025.
The more ambitious Netra Mk2 programme, officially designated AWACS (India) , was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in July 2025 at an estimated cost of ₹19,000 crore. It will be based on six Airbus A321 aircraft acquired from Air India. The Mk2 variant will carry a much more powerful indigenous AESA radar with a detection range exceeding 500 km, additional radar arrays for wider coverage, greater endurance and significantly higher onboard processing capability. Deliveries are expected between 2028 and 2034.
| Variant | Platform | Detection Range | Radar Coverage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netra Mk1 (Current) | Embraer EMB-145I | Up to 375 km | 240 degrees | 3 in service, FOC achieved |
| Netra Mk1A | Embraer EMB-145I | Up to 450 km | 240-270 degrees | 6 planned |
| Netra Mk2 (AWACS India) | Airbus A321 | More than 500 km | 300-360 degrees | 6 cleared by CCS |
Key Takeaways
- The DRDO handed over the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate for the indigenous Netra AEW&C system to the IAF on 25 June 2026 at CABS, Bengaluru.
- The Netra programme was initiated in 2003 and sanctioned in 2004. The system received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in October 2017.
- The system is integrated on the Brazilian Embraer EMB-145I aircraft and features an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with a detection range of up to 375 km and 240 degree coverage.
- The three Netra aircraft are operated by No. 200 Squadron of the IAF at Bhisiana Air Force Station, Punjab, and have been operationally deployed during the Balakot strikes (2019) and Operation Sindoor.
- DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru was the nodal laboratory, with LRDE, DEAL, DARE and DLRL contributing subsystems.
- Six Netra Mk1A aircraft and six Netra Mk2 aircraft (worth ₹19,000 crore) are planned to expand the IAF’s airborne early warning fleet, with Mk2 based on the Airbus A321 platform.
