SOURCE: AFI
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the newly appointed Chief of Air Staff, announced on Friday a significant advancement in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) modernization efforts with the development of the Netra MkII Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS). The project will be based on Airbus A321 aircraft, which will undergo extensive modifications to serve as airborne surveillance platforms. Negotiations between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Airbus are ongoing, with Airbus tasked with converting the commercial jets into high-tech reconnaissance aircraft while DRDO focuses on developing the mission systems.
Airbus Defence and Space (ADS), headquartered in Spain, has been selected as the lead contractor for the critical task of converting six pre-owned A-321s, acquired from Air India, into the advanced Netra MkII AEW&CS platforms. These aircraft will undergo a comprehensive transformation at Airbus’ Military Aircraft Design and Engineering department in Getafe, Madrid, transitioning from passenger jets into sophisticated airborne surveillance systems.
The modifications will include installing cutting-edge military avionics and technology, allowing the A-321s to function as the Indian Air Force’s airborne sentinels, detecting and tracking threats from the skies. Airbus’ expertise in military integration and aircraft customization has positioned it as the ideal partner for this highly technical and specialized role.
The Netra MkII AEW&CS will feature a comprehensive suite of mission-critical systems, which include:
Operator Work Stations and Mission Suite: Intuitive interfaces will allow operators to manage missions and maintain situational awareness during critical operations.
Primary and Secondary Radars: Offering long-range detection and identification of aerial threats.
Mission Communication System and Communication Support Measures (CSM): Ensuring secure, jam-resistant communication for coordination with ground and air units.
Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR): These systems will detect and analyze hostile radar emissions, offering early warnings and countermeasure capabilities.
Direct Counter Measures (DCM) and Counter Measures Dispensing System (CMDS): These defenses will guard against electronic attacks and enhance survivability in hostile environments.
Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Data Links: Enabling seamless real-time data sharing and information exchange between the aircraft and command centers.
Once operational, the Netra MkII AEW&CS will provide the Indian Air Force with a strategic advantage in surveillance, reconnaissance, and battlefield management. The aircraft will play a crucial role in early detection and tracking of potential threats, ensuring India’s skies remain secure against both conventional and asymmetric threats. The program marks a significant step forward in enhancing the IAF’s Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) capabilities, which rely on real-time intelligence and advanced communication networks.