Indigenous AEW&C named ” Netra” all set to Join IAF

Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C) developed by DRDO has been named ” Netra” (Eye) and post historic Rajpath flypast today, Indian air force is all set to induct the first aircraft into its force after carrying out rigorous test flight certification of the onboard radars and sensors. 

IAF is also likely to take delivery of second Indigenous AEW&C Netra, later this year, while third Developmental Prototype will remain with DRDO to be used as test aircraft to develop upgraded radars and sensors. DRDO already has been tasked to develop next-generation “Awacs -India” project airborne warning and control systems which will feature indigenous 360-degree coverage AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars which can detect incoming aerial threats like hostile fighters, drones and cruise missiles from 400-km away. Awacs -India” project will utilise bigger wide-body jets like commercial planes like Airbus A-330, which has emerged Single bidder for the tender floated by India. 

IAF has a requirement for nearly 5-8 Awacs equipped with long range 360-degree AESA Radars. AEW&C Netra utilises indigenous 240-degree coverage radars which have been fitted on three smaller Brazilian Embraer-145 jets. DRDO and Embraer had discussed the export potential of the AEW&C Netra after it received many queries from Gulf and South American countries after it was displayed in last year’s Bahrain Airshow, while IAF has shown no intended to induct more AEW&C Netra.