DRDO Hands Over Final Operational Clearance for Netra AEW&C to IAF
Indigenous 'Eye in the Sky' declared fully combat-ready; six additional Netra aircraft planned
Bengaluru/New Delhi: In a major milestone for India's indigenous defence aviation programme, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday handed over the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate for the Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system to the Indian Air Force (IAF), certifying the platform as fully combat-ready after successfully completing all operational trials and validation processes.
The Netra AEW&C system serves as the Indian Air Force's airborne surveillance and command-and-control platform, providing real-time detection, tracking, and coordination of aerial and maritime threats. Often described as the IAF's "eye in the sky," the system significantly enhances situational awareness and battlefield management capabilities.
Mounted on the Brazilian-built Embraer EMB-145 aircraft, Netra is equipped with an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar housed in a distinctive dorsal fin. The system can detect hostile aircraft, drones, missiles, and ships at ranges of 250 to over 500 kilometres, while providing 300° to 360° radar coverage depending on operational configuration.
In addition to long-range surveillance, Netra enables identification of friendly and hostile aircraft, real-time command and control, and the direction of fighter aircraft during combat operations, making it a critical force multiplier for the Indian Air Force.
Three Netra AEW&C aircraft had previously entered IAF service under Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and played a significant role during the 2019 Balakot air operations, providing airborne surveillance and coordinating fighter missions.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the Final Operational Clearance as a landmark achievement for India's defence ecosystem.
"The grant of Final Operational Clearance marks not only a technological milestone but also a strategic advancement in strengthening India's airborne surveillance and command-and-control capabilities," he said.
Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh congratulated the AEW&C programme team, while Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, hailed the achievement as a testament to the close partnership between the Indian Air Force and India's scientific community.
"This is not merely the culmination of an indigenous technology programme, but a celebration of the unique partnership between the IAF and the scientific community in fulfilling India's quest for Atmanirbharta," Air Marshal Bharti said during the ceremony in Bengaluru.
In a video message, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CIDS), said the induction assumes even greater significance amid an evolving geopolitical and security environment. He also welcomed the planned expansion of the Netra programme through the induction of six additional AEW&C aircraft, which will substantially strengthen the IAF's airborne surveillance and command network.
The award of Final Operational Clearance marks the successful completion of one of India's most important indigenous airborne surveillance programmes and represents a significant step towards enhancing the country's network-centric warfare capabilities while reducing dependence on imported airborne early warning systems.
