Final Operational Clearance Granted to India's Indigenous Netra AEW&C System
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system to the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a significant step in India's effort to develop advanced aerospace and defence technologies domestically.
The FOC comes nearly nine years after the system received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2017, certifying that the platform has completed operational evaluation and is ready for full-fledged service.
Netra is India's first indigenously developed AEW&C system. Mounted on a Brazilian-made Embraer EMB-145 aircraft, it functions as an airborne surveillance and battle management platform capable of detecting, tracking, and identifying airborne threats over long distances. Unlike ground-based radars, which are limited by terrain and the Earth's curvature, the AEW&C aircraft operates at high altitude, allowing it to monitor vast airspace and detect aircraft, missiles, and drones earlier.
The system is equipped with an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, one of the most advanced radar technologies. Instead of mechanically rotating, the radar electronically steers its beams, enabling it to detect and track multiple targets simultaneously with greater speed and accuracy. Netra also integrates Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Electronic Counter Measures (ECM), secure communication systems, Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) data links, and a self-protection suite. It has air-to-air refuelling capability, allowing extended surveillance missions. Information from these sensors is processed through sophisticated mission software that fuses data into a single operational picture, enabling operators to identify threats, assign targets, and coordinate combat operations.
AEW&C systems are considered force multipliers in modern warfare, providing early warning of incoming threats while directing friendly aircraft and air defence assets. By acting as an airborne command and control centre, Netra enhances situational awareness, supports network-centric warfare, and improves the IAF's ability to respond to emerging threats. It is particularly valuable for large-scale air operations, border monitoring, and surveillance over maritime regions where ground radar coverage is limited.
Senior IAF officials have stated that Netra proved its operational reliability during the Balakot air strikes and Operation Sindoor, providing continuous surveillance and enhanced situational awareness. The FOC formally validates the system's performance, reliability, and operational capability after years of testing and deployment.
The Netra programme represents a collaboration between DRDO, the IAF, certification agencies such as CEMILAC and DGAQA, and several Indian industry partners. Developing an AEW&C platform requires expertise across radar technology, electronic warfare, avionics, mission software, aircraft integration, and systems engineering. The programme involved extensive all-weather flight trials before entering service. Its successful induction has reduced India's dependence on imported airborne surveillance platforms while strengthening the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.
