SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received a significant boost in its quest to enhance airborne surveillance capabilities, with recent clearance to procure six Embraer EMB-145 aircraft for the Netra Mk1A program. This approval, anticipated to be formalized soon by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), marks a critical step in modernizing the IAF’s Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) fleet. With production of the EMB-145 having ceased years ago, Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer, the aircraft’s original manufacturer, will now scout the secondary market for operational units, partnering with India’s Adani Defence and Aerospace to bring the Netra Mk1A vision to fruition.
The Netra Mk1A is an advanced iteration of the existing Netra AEW&C system, which is built on the EMB-145 platform and equipped with indigenous radar technology developed by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The IAF currently operates three Netra systems, providing 240-degree radar coverage with a range of approximately 450 kilometers. The Mk1A variant promises enhanced operational capabilities, including upgraded mission suites and minor equipment modifications, to meet evolving threats along India’s borders with China and Pakistan. The addition of six more aircraft will nearly triple the IAF’s AEW&C capacity, addressing a shortage felt acutely during the 2019 Balakot aerial engagement.
Since Embraer discontinued EMB-145 production in the early 2010s, the aircraft are no longer available new. However, the twin-engine regional jet remains in service with numerous small private-sector airlines and operators worldwide, particularly in the commercial aviation sector. Embraer’s expertise in sourcing these aircraft from the secondary market will be pivotal, leveraging its global network to identify airframes suitable for military conversion. The company previously supplied three EMB-145s to India in the early 2010s for the initial Netra program, modifying them to integrate CABS’ Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, datalinks, and self-defense suites as per IAF specifications.
Adani Defence and Aerospace, selected as the Indian partner for the Netra Mk1A program, will play a multifaceted role. Beyond assisting Embraer in scouting for the aircraft, Adani will contribute to the modification process, ensuring the commercial jets are transformed into military-grade AEW&C platforms. Adani’s growing footprint in India’s aerospace sector—spanning maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services and collaborations with global OEMs like Elbit Systems—positions it well to handle the integration of indigenous systems, such as the DRDO’s radar and avionics, onto the EMB-145 airframes.
The procurement process will involve a delicate balance of cost, condition, and availability. The EMB-145, with a maximum takeoff weight of 22,000 kg, a cruising speed of Mach 0.78, and a range of 2,873 km, is a proven platform for the Netra’s mission profile. Once acquired, the aircraft will undergo extensive modifications at an Indian facility, likely with technical support from Embraer engineers who have prior experience tailoring the jet for the IAF. These upgrades will enhance the Netra Mk1A’s ability to detect low-flying threats, coordinate air operations, and provide real-time situational awareness—capabilities deemed essential amid rising regional tensions.
This initiative complements a parallel program to develop six additional AEW&C systems on Airbus A-321 platforms, also led by DRDO, highlighting the IAF’s dual-track approach to bolster its force multipliers. However, the EMB-145-based Netra Mk1A offers a faster deployment timeline, leveraging an existing design and Embraer’s established relationship with India. The IAF already operates five EMB-145 variants for VVIP transport, further underscoring the platform’s reliability and familiarity within the service.
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