The Netra AEW&C system is an Indian airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Air Force. The aircraft is based on the Embraer EMB-145I airframe.
Development In 2003, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and DRDO carried out a joint study of the system-level requirements and feasibility of development for an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. The Government then approved the project for the development of the AEW&C system by DRDO. Primary responsibility for the project was with Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), which led the design, system integration and testing of the system. Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) was responsible for the design of the radar array. The Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL), based in Dehradun, was responsible for the Data Link and Communication Systems for AEW&C system.
The DRDO AEW&CS programme, worth , aims to deliver three radar-equipped surveillance aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The aircraft platform selected was the Embraer EMB-145I. As per a contract signed in 2008, Three EMB-145I were procured from Embraer at a cost of US$210 Million, including the contracted modifications to the airframe including features like in-flight refueling system, SATCOM capability, increased electrical and cooling capacities, and multiple aerodynamic and structural changes. The project goal was to deploy these AEW&C aircraft by 2013. India's sole previous effort to develop an AEW&C system was the Airborne Surveillance Platform, but the programme, codenamed Airavat, was ended after the only test-bed crashed. The AEW&C project aimed to supplement the larger and more capable EL/W-2090 AWACS acquired by the IAF from Israel. Three EL/W-2090 systems have been ordered, with follow-on orders of 3 more expected in 2010.More Phalcons to be ordered Apart from providing the IAF with a cheaper and hence, more flexible AEW&C platform as a backup to its more capable EL/W-2090 class systems, the DRDO AEW&C project aimed to develop the domestic ability to design and operationalise airborne surveillance platforms.
The first round of modifications to the first EMB-145I fuselage for India's early warning aircraft were made in March 2011 in preparation for integration with the Indian-designed antenna.
In June 2010, it was reported that the Active Array Antenna Unit (AAAU), developed by DRDO's Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), was to be integrated into the modified EMB-145I aircraft. First test flight of the system was expected in early 2011.Embraer Develops Complementary Platforms For Indian SystemsEmbraer aircraft with Indian warning system to fly by 2011India developing unmanned combat air vehicle – India – DNAIndia to roll out indigenous AEW aircraft by 2012 – Brahmand.com
The first modified fuselage platform was handed over to DRDO by Embraer in February 2011. Ground and flight tests of the aircraft were to be followed by installation of radar and other equipment.Embraer unveils the new EM 145 AEW&C platform developed for the Indian government The first fully modified EMB-145I arcraft with the antenna and its electronic payload made its maiden flight on 6 December 2011 at Embraer facilities at Sao Jose dos Campos in Brazil with about 1000 Mission System Components provided by CABS, DRDO. These included the critical item – AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) Radar Antenna developed by DRDO and certified from ANAC, International FAR Certification Agency at Sao Jose dos Campos in Brazil. Some of the sensitive advanced systems were replaced with dummy equipment of equivalent size and weight. These were to be integrated later in India following flight certification. A two-year certification period is expected. DRDO is expected to receive the next two aircraft platforms to start integration by mid-2012.
Maiden flight of the second fully modified aircraft for the Indian Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system was held at 1930 IST on 4 April 2012 at the San Jose dos Campos in Brazil. The necessary mission systems and components including the dummy AAAU (Active Antenna Array Unit) are successfully fitted onboard Embraer EMB-145I aircraft.:: Bharat-Rakshak.com – Indian Military News Headlines :: Livefist: FIRST LOOK: Maiden flight of the India's 2nd Indigenous AEW&C
As reported in March 2015, the completion timeline of the project was shifted to December 2015 after multiple delays.
By 2017, the project cost for 3 aircraft was revised to .
Workshare The responsibility between various DRDO laboratories is split as follows:
Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) – Primary radar Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL) – Communication Systems and Data Link Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) – Self Protection suite, Electronic Support Measurement EW Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) – Communication Support Measures Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) – IFF & Overall Programme Management, integration and development of the data handling system, displays, mission computers et al.
Various Indian private sector firms are involved in the programme. National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) contributed to the aerodynamic studies of the antenna array, and flight modelling of the entire AEW&C system platform.
Further development
Netra Mk 1A (EMB-145I) As of 6 February 2024, sources reporting to various media and newspapers said that the Defence Acquisition Council of the Ministry of Defence will take up the acceptance of necessity for the six Mark-1A aircraft next week, which will entail mounting active electronically scanned array antenna-based radars, electronic and signal intelligence systems on Brazilian Embraer jets, at a cost of around . These six AEW&C aircraft will be based on Embraer EMB-145I and have 240° radar coverage. But there will be better software and more advanced technologies like new gallium nitride-based TR (transmit/receive) modules for the radars. This variant will also inherit some of the technologies from Mark 2. DRDO will purchase the aircraft from Embraer and all the modifications will be carried out by the Centre for Air Borne Systems in India. The Defence Acquisition Council is to clear the acquisition soon as of October 2024.
Since the EMB-145I platform is no longer manufactured, DRDO and IAF are scouting their availability in secondary markets, while Embraer has also offered Praetor 600 aircraft for the same role.
The Defence Acquisition Council finally cleared the acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the AEW&C project on 20 March 2025. Reportedly, the Air Force plans to replace the existing Netra AEW&C by upgraded variants. The Defence Acquisition Council is also expected to clear the procurement of the six aircraft from Embraer of Brazil in the last week of June 2025. The acquisition was approved during the meeting on 29 December 2025. The defence ministry will now release a request for proposal to purchase six Embraer jets. The radar, with a 270° coverage, will be equipped with a better electronic warfare suite and network-centric warfare capabilities.
In August 2026, it was reported that Embraer had identified six airframes for the Mk1A, with a deal expected to be signed by the end of 2026.
Netra Mk 2 (Airbus A321)
360° azimuth variant On 29 March 2015, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the development of 2 AEW&C. The radar, mounted on an Airbus A330 airfame, would have a range of 400 km with 360° azimuth. The project, referred to as AWACS-India, would cost . This woud be followed by an additional order of 6 units of the same design while the project is midway. Once the contract is signed, 80 months (6-7 years) will be required for the delivery of first aircraft. Airbus was the only contender to provide airframe for the design & development while A330 will undergo some structural and electrical changes for the project. For this project, the funding will be divided in 80:20 ratio between IAF and DRDO.
As of February 2017, the deal was not signed while the cost of 6 additional AWACS would be . The cost negotiations for the first contract would begin after the latter is cleared.
The mission systems, including the 10 metre radar dome, would weigh 20 tonnes.
On 19 July 2024, IAF issued an RFI to procure six AEW&C systems and their respective ground support elements. The elements of the aircraft system would include a primary radar, Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM), Communication Support Measures (CSM), command & control (C2), battle management system and networking through data links, IFF and self-protection electronic warfare suite. The primary radar is slated to have a 360° azimuth. The jet engine aircraft is to have 8-hour endurance with aerial refueling capabilities, cruise altitude of over , cruise speed of above Mach 0.7 and a range of flying altitude from to . It should be able to track large bodied aircraft to slow unmanned aerial vehicles having a low radar cross section at ranges above . Vendors may either offer aircraft already customised as an AEW&C system or any aircraft meeting the requirements laid out by IAF including a pre-owned aircraft.
On 5 January 2026, IAF issued another RFI to procure six AEW&C systems with their associated ground equipment. The systems are meant to provide long-range radar detection with instruments requirements similar to those laid out in the 2024 RFI. However, the aircraft specifications were upgraded to 10-hour endurance or aerial refueling capabilities with a service ceiling of and capable of operating from airfields located at an altitude of . The advanced mission suite is expected to include a 360° azimuth radar capable of detecting small, slow-moving targets as well as hypersonic weapons.
Variants (specifications) +DesignationDetection rangeInstrumented rangeRadar coveragePlatformNotable featuresStatusRef.Netra Mk 1250–375+ km (depends on RCS)450–500 km240°Embraer EMB-145I Identification of friend or foe (IFF), satellite datalinks, missile‑warning receivers and air‑to‑air refueling for extended missions.3 in serviceNetra Mk 1A450 kmN/A240–270°Embraer ERJ family Enhanced mission suite, upgraded sensors, better human‑machine interface and tighter integration into IAF systems. Better detection of low‑observability aircraft like drones and stealth jets6 plannedNetra Mk 2500+ kmN/A300°Airbus A321 (ex Air India) Improved all‑round situational awareness, including drone and low‑RCS aerial threats6 cleared
Design
Netra Mark 1
Two radiating planar arrays assembled back-to-back and mounted on top of the fuselage in an active antenna array unit (AAAU) will provide 240° coverage like Erieye. The AAAU is configured to compactly house 10 × 2 antenna array panels, 160 transmit receive 10 × 2 antenna array panels, 160 transmit receive multi-modules (TRMMs) dividers, beam forming units, beam control units, power supply units and related electronic devices including cables and connectors. This has been achieved through an innovative and iterative process to arrive at the AAAU with minimal dimensions and optimum mass properties. A unique feature of this Indian TRMM design is that eight trans-receive modules are combined compactly to form a single TRMM, thus facilitating high density installation of 160 of them in the AAAU to power the surveillance radar.http://publications.drdo.gov.in/gsdl/collect/defences/index/assoc/HASHef00/d0ae05fa.dir/doc.pdf