New Delhi, March 22, 2025 – In a landmark move to strengthen its aerial defense capabilities, India’s Defence Ministry has greenlit an ambitious project to procure six cutting-edge Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems, heralding a new era of vigilance for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Dubbed the ‘eyes in the sky,’ these upgraded versions of the indigenous Netra system will be mounted on Embraer aircraft, enhancing India’s ability to detect and track airborne threats—be it fighter jets, cruise missiles, or drones—faster and more effectively than ever before.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the initiative on Thursday, addressing a critical gap in India’s aerial surveillance network. The IAF currently operates just three AEW&C systems—two Netra units and one under the Centre For Air Borne System (CABS)—alongside three Russian Il-76-based AWACS. In contrast, Pakistan boasts a formidable fleet of nine Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&Cs and four Chinese ZDK03 Karakoram Eagle AWACS, granting it round-the-clock monitoring capabilities—a strategic edge India has yet to match.
The approved plan doesn’t stop at six new Netra Mk1A systems. The IAF is set to induct an additional six Netra Mk2 systems, mounted on Airbus A321 aircraft sourced from Air India, featuring India’s homegrown Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology. These advancements promise a leap in range and performance, surpassing the current Netra’s 200 km detection radius and rivaling the 400 km, 360-degree coverage of the Il-76 AWACS.
The urgency of this upgrade was underscored by the 2019 aerial skirmish with Pakistan, where the IAF faced challenges during a critical changeover of its airborne surveillance assets. Pakistan’s superior AEW&C fleet exploited the gap, highlighting the need for a robust, uninterrupted ‘eye in the sky.’ With the Netra Mk1A and Mk2 poised to deliver enhanced range and capabilities, India is now on track to level the playing field.
“This is a game-changer for our air defense,” said a senior IAF official. “These systems will not only monitor the skies but also serve as airborne command centers, tracking everything from enemy aircraft to ships at sea.”
The project reflects India’s growing reliance on indigenous defense innovation, with the DRDO spearheading the development of these advanced systems. As the six Airbus A321s currently with the IAF’s communications squadron undergo transformation into Netra Mk2 platforms, the nation edges closer to achieving a seamless, round-the-clock aerial surveillance network.
With this bold step, India is not just catching up—it’s aiming to soar ahead, ensuring its skies remain secure and its defenses unmatched.
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