SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to bolster its airborne surveillance capabilities with the conversion of ex-Air India Airbus A321 aircraft into the advanced Netra MkII Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS). This ambitious project, undertaken in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Airbus, marks a significant step toward enhancing India’s Indigenous defence capabilities while addressing critical gaps in its aerial early warning infrastructure.
The IAF has acquired six ex-Air India Airbus A321 aircraft, previously used for commercial passenger services, for conversion into Netra MkII AWACS platforms. These aircraft, now under the Ministry of Defence’s purview, were selected for their availability, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for the extensive modifications required to transform them into military-grade surveillance platforms. The A321, a narrow-body jet known for its reliability in civilian aviation, will undergo a complete overhaul to accommodate advanced radar systems, mission equipment, and military-grade avionics.
The conversion process will take place at an Airbus facility, likely in France or Spain, where the aircraft will be stripped of their commercial interiors and structurally modified to support the heavy radar and sensor arrays. This includes reinforcing the airframe to handle the additional weight and aerodynamic stresses imposed by the large Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar panels, which will be mounted dorsally to provide wide-area surveillance. Additional upgrades will involve integrating an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to support the power-intensive radar systems, overhauling cockpit instrumentation for military operations, and installing mission operator consoles with active noise cancellation for enhanced crew efficiency during long-duration missions.
The road to operationalizing the Netra MkII has not been without challenges. According to reports, initial negotiations between Airbus and India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) stalled due to a significant discrepancy in project cost estimates. Airbus reportedly quoted a conversion cost nearly double the original budget set by the IAF and DRDO, inflating the overall program expenses. This led to a temporary halt in discussions as both parties sought to reconcile the financial implications with the strategic imperatives of the project.
However, recent updates suggest that talks have resumed, with both sides working toward a mutually acceptable agreement. If the deal is finalized by the end of 2025, the conversion process for the first aircraft is expected to take approximately two years, with delivery to DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) slated for 2027. Following delivery, the aircraft will undergo further integration of indigenous systems, including the upgraded Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based AESA side panel radar, designed to provide enhanced detection range and tracking capabilities compared to its predecessors.
Once the radar and associated systems are installed, developmental trials are scheduled to commence in 2029. These trials will rigorously test the Netra MkII’s performance in real-world scenarios, including its ability to detect and track airborne and maritime threats, integrate with IAF command networks, and operate in contested environments. If the trials proceed as planned, the first Netra MkII AWACS is expected to be inducted into IAF service by 2030, marking a significant milestone in India’s airborne early warning capabilities.
At the heart of the Netra MkII lies its advanced radar system, developed by DRDO in collaboration with its labs, including CABS and the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE). The upgraded GaN-based AESA side panel radar represents a leap forward in radar technology, offering several advantages over traditional systems. Gallium Nitride technology enhances the radar’s power efficiency, range, and resolution, enabling it to detect smaller targets at greater distances and track multiple threats simultaneously with improved accuracy. The side panel configuration, combined with a front-facing radar, is expected to provide approximately 300-degree coverage, a significant improvement over the 240-degree coverage of the Netra MkI.
In addition to the primary radar, the Netra MkII will be equipped with a suite of mission-critical systems, including Electronic Support Measures (ESM) for threat detection, Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) for early warning, and Counter Measures Dispensing Systems (CMDS) for self-defence against missile threats. The aircraft will also feature secure communication systems, including Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Satellite Communication (SATCOM) data links, ensuring real-time coordination with ground and air units.
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