New Delhi: In a significant move to enhance India’s aerial surveillance and combat readiness, the Ministry of Defence is expected to consider a proposal this month to acquire six additional Netra Mk-1A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems for the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to defence sources.
The proposal will be tabled before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. If approved, this would triple the IAF’s current fleet of AEW&C systems, plugging critical gaps in India’s air defence network, especially amid heightened tensions with neighbouring countries China and Pakistan.
The new AEW&C systems will be developed on airframes sourced from Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer. These platforms will then be modified and integrated with advanced radar and communication systems by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
AEW&C systems serve as the eyes in the sky, providing early detection of incoming aerial threats, tracking enemy aircraft, and acting as airborne command and control hubs. The Netra Mk-1A represents a significant upgrade over the current Netra Mk-1, with enhanced range, radar coverage, and situational awareness.
India currently operates a mix of Israeli EL/M-2090 Phalcon AWACS and the indigenously developed Netra Mk-1 systems. The Netra platform demonstrated its operational effectiveness during the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and was recently deployed during Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025.
Defence sources highlight that the AEW&C capability has become vital in light of evolving threats, including the expanding aerial capabilities of Pakistan and China. During Operation Sindoor, India reportedly destroyed two of Pakistan’s AEW&C aircraft, showcasing the strategic value of such platforms.
Following high-level security reviews in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the military leadership reached a consensus that India must urgently invest in more sophisticated and lethal surveillance systems. The move to acquire additional Netra Mk-1A units is seen as part of a broader strategy to stay ahead of regional adversaries, especially as Pakistan continues to deepen defence cooperation with China.
The Netra Mk-1A acquisition, once cleared, will mark a major step forward in India’s push for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in defence manufacturing, combining foreign airframe procurement with indigenous sensor and systems integration.
