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India's Netra Mk 1 airborne early warning fleet achieves full operational clearance
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation declares the indigenous Netra Mk 1 AEW system combat ready after successful trials and frontline use.
The gist
India’s Netra Mk 1 AEW fleet on Embraer jets attains full operational clearance, marking a key milestone in domestic airborne surveillance capabilities.
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India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on 25 June 2026 that its airborne early warning (AEW) fleet, based on the indigenous Netra Mk 1 system, is now fully operational. The final operational clearance (FOC) ceremony was held in Bengaluru, signifying that the system has completed all necessary evaluations and is declared combat-ready. This marks a major advancement for India's self-reliance in aerospace and defence technology, according to India's defence ministry.
The Netra Mk 1 AEW platform utilizes modified Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets fitted with a dorsal-mounted active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar developed domestically by DRDO's Centre for Airborne Systems. This capability provides India with airborne surveillance and network-centric warfare functions that enhance situational awareness and threat detection over the country’s airspace.
Despite the recent FOC status, the Netra Mk 1 has been operationally deployed for several years. Initial operational clearance was granted in 2017, and the aircraft have supported frontline missions, including India’s May 2025 airstrikes into Pakistan, known as Operation Sindoor. During the ensuing brief air conflict, the aircraft helped track enemy movements, even as India suffered aircraft losses, including at least one Dassault Rafale fighter jet.
The Indian Air Force currently operates three Netra Mk 1 aircraft alongside three Ilyushin Il-76 AEW platforms. The Il-76s are equipped with an Israeli Elta Systems EL/W-2090 AESA radar. Last year, the Indian government ordered six additional ERJ-145-based AEW jets, designated as Netra Mk 1A. These new systems will have enhanced sensor suites with a wider field of radar coverage to improve detection capabilities further.
Development continues with the next generation Netra Mk 2, which is based on the Airbus A321 airframe. This project, approved in 2025 and valued at approximately INR190 billion (US$2 billion), aims to deliver a longer radar scan range thanks to an indigenously designed main radar supplemented by additional sensors for comprehensive surveillance coverage. Production involves collaboration among DRDO, Airbus Defence & Space, and the Indian conglomerate Adani, using aircraft sourced secondhand from Air India.
Looking further ahead, India is considering a more advanced Netra Mk 3 with ambitions to achieve full 360-degree radar coverage. Reports indicate the Airbus A330 passenger jet is under evaluation as the potential platform for this system. Such enhancements will position the Indian AEW fleet at a new level of capability, offering comprehensive situational awareness for the country’s air defence.
The Netra AEW systems serve a strategic role in India’s defence posture, especially given the regional security challenges and its reliance on domestic technology development for critical defence assets. Achieving full operational clearance is a testament to years of development and operational experience, with the platforms playing active roles in recent regional conflicts and ongoing airspace security.
Operating an indigenous AEW fleet on modified commuter airframes like the ERJ-145 gives India a cost-effective solution tailored to its specific operational needs. The progression from Mk 1 to Mk 1A and the planned Mk 2 and Mk 3 illustrates a calculated roadmap toward expanding surveillance capabilities while leveraging homegrown radar technology and defence manufacturing.
This milestone also reflects India’s growing focus on network-centric warfare capabilities which rely on airborne platforms to integrate sensor inputs and enhance command and control responsiveness. The Netra fleet thus forms a crucial node in India’s broader defence modernization efforts, ensuring enhanced aerial domain awareness and timely threat detection across the subcontinent.
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Vertical Aerospace secures tentative $100m funding to advance Valo eVTOL certification and production
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Joby Aviation to acquire Resonant Sciences for $500M to boost defense capabilities
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