SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to enhance its airborne surveillance capabilities by issuing an open tender for the procurement of six used Embraer EMB-145 aircraft, which will be converted into the advanced Netra Mk1A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems. This move, part of India’s strategic push to bolster its air defense infrastructure, addresses critical gaps in airborne early warning capabilities amid rising regional tensions with neighbors like China and Pakistan.
The tender, expected to be floated soon, will leverage the global secondary market for EMB-145 airframes, with modifications to be carried out by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Brazilian original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Embraer.
The Netra Mk1A, an upgraded iteration of the existing Netra Mk1 AEW&C system, builds on the success of the three EMB-145-based platforms currently in service with the IAF. These aircraft, equipped with indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars developed by CABS, have proven their operational effectiveness in high-stakes missions, including the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the recent Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. The Netra Mk1A will feature advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based AESA radars with a 240-degree coverage arc and an enhanced detection range of approximately 450 kilometers, a significant improvement over the Mk1’s 200-kilometer range. These upgrades, coupled with improved electronic warfare suites and real-time communication networks, will enable the IAF to detect low-flying threats, track stealth aircraft, and coordinate multi-domain operations effectively.
With production of the EMB-145 having ceased over a decade ago, the IAF faces the challenge of sourcing suitable airframes from the secondary market, where nearly 500 of the approximately 700 produced EMB-145s remain in operation with commercial airlines and other operators worldwide. Embraer, which previously supplied three modified EMB-145s for the original Netra program in the early 2010s, will play a pivotal role in identifying and procuring these airframes. The Brazilian OEM will also oversee structural modifications to accommodate the AESA radar, operator consoles, and other mission-critical systems, ensuring the aircraft meet military-grade standards. Adani Defence and Aerospace, Embraer’s Indian partner, will assist in sourcing the airframes and contribute to the modification process, aligning with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative by integrating indigenous systems like DRDO’s radar and avionics.
The EMB-145, a twin-engine regional jet with a range of 2,873 kilometers, a cruising speed of Mach 0.78, and a maximum takeoff weight of 22,000 kilograms, is a proven platform for the Netra program. Its reliability and adaptability make it ideal for the AEW&C role, with features like in-flight refueling capability and increased electrical and cooling capacities. The conversion process, to be conducted at CABS facilities in Bengaluru with technical support from Embraer, will involve fitting the airframes with advanced GaN-based T/R modules, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, data links, and self-defense suites. These enhancements will enable the Netra Mk1A to counter evolving threats, including stealth aircraft like Pakistan’s planned J-35A fighters, by providing superior radar sensitivity and resistance to electronic countermeasures.
The procurement of these six Netra Mk1A platforms, valued at approximately Rs 9,000 crore, is a critical step toward tripling the IAF’s AEW&C fleet. Currently, the IAF operates three Netra Mk1 systems and three Israeli Phalcon AWACS on IL-76 platforms, a fleet significantly outnumbered by Pakistan’s nine AEW&C systems and China’s over 30 AWACS. The addition of the Netra Mk1A will enhance India’s ability to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and respond to aerial threats along its borders. The IAF’s dual-track approach also includes the development of six Netra Mk2 systems on Airbus A-321 platforms, which will offer 300-degree radar coverage and are expected to be delivered by 2026-27, further strengthening India’s airborne surveillance capabilities.
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