SOURCE: AFI
In a significant step toward enhancing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) airborne surveillance and command capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is poised to grant clearance for the procurement of six Netra Mk1A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. Announced on May 27, 2025, this development will see airframes sourced from Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer, with modifications carried out by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Valued at approximately Rs 9,000 crore, the acquisition aims to triple the IAF’s AEW&C fleet, addressing critical gaps in India’s air defense architecture amid rising regional tensions with China and Pakistan.
The Netra Mk1A is an advanced iteration of the DRDO-developed Netra Mk1 AEW&C system, which has proven its operational mettle in high-stakes scenarios like the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the recent Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. Mounted on the Embraer ERJ-145 platform, the Netra Mk1A features an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with 240-degree coverage and a range of approximately 450 km, a significant upgrade from the Mk1’s 200 km range. The system is equipped with enhanced mission suites, improved human-mission interfaces, advanced data links, and a robust electronic warfare suite, making it a critical force multiplier for air defense, reconnaissance, and mission control.
The IAF currently operates three Netra Mk1 systems, with one additional unit managed by CABS for research and development. The addition of six Netra Mk1A aircraft will bolster the IAF’s ability to detect low-flying threats, track enemy aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles, and coordinate multi-domain operations. “The Netra Mk1A’s deployment in Operation Sindoor showcased its flawless performance, validating years of indigenous development,” said a senior IAF official, emphasizing its role in providing real-time situational awareness.
With Embraer’s ERJ-145 production having ceased over a decade ago, the IAF has tasked the Brazilian manufacturer, in collaboration with India’s Adani Defence and Aerospace, to source suitable airframes from the global secondary market. The ERJ-145, a twin-engine regional jet with a range of 2,873 km, a cruising speed of Mach 0.78, and a maximum takeoff weight of 22,000 kg, is a proven platform for the Netra program, already familiar to the IAF through its existing fleet and VVIP transport variants. Embraer will oversee structural modifications to accommodate the AESA radar, operator consoles, and other mission-critical systems, ensuring the airframes meet military standards.
CABS, the lead agency for the Netra program, will handle the integration of indigenous systems, including the AESA radar, electronic intelligence (ELINT) suites, and advanced data links. The modifications will enhance the Netra Mk1A’s ability to detect targets at altitudes from 30 meters to 20 km, coordinate air operations, and integrate with ground and airborne assets for net-centric warfare. This approach aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, emphasizing indigenous technology to reduce reliance on foreign platforms like the Israeli Phalcon AWACS, which the IAF operates on IL-76 airframes.
The urgency of this procurement stems from India’s need to address a critical shortage of AEW&C platforms, a gap starkly evident during the 2019 aerial engagement with Pakistan following the Balakot airstrike. Pakistan’s nine Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&Cs and four Chinese ZDK03 Karakoram Eagle AWACS enable round-the-clock surveillance, outpacing India’s current fleet of five AWACS (three Phalcon and two Netra Mk1). China’s deployment of over 30 AWACS, including the KJ-500, near Indian borders further underscores the need for enhanced airborne surveillance. The Netra Mk1A’s 240-degree coverage, while effective, is complemented by plans for the Netra Mk2, which will use Airbus A-321 airframes to provide 300-degree coverage, and the future Netra Mk3, aiming for 360-degree coverage with a dome-based AESA radar.
“The six Netra Mk1A aircraft will nearly triple our AEW&C capacity, providing a faster deployment timeline compared to the Netra Mk2 program,” said Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh in a recent statement. The DAC’s anticipated approval, expected within weeks, will initiate a five-year delivery timeline from project sanction, with funding finalized by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
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