Netra is India’s indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, developed by DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru, functioning as a flying radar station that detects, tracks and identifies airborne and maritime threats far beyond the range and coverage of ground-based radars.[1]
Netra is built on the Embraer EMB-145I regional-jet airframe, fitted with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar mounted in a dorsal fairing, providing 240-degree radar coverage around the aircraft. This allows Netra to detect, track and identify enemy aircraft, cruise missiles and even surface naval vessels from extended stand-off ranges, feeding a real-time air-situation picture to IAF command-and-control networks and fighter controllers.[1][2]
The Indian Air Force currently operates three Netra Mk-1 aircraft on the Embraer ERJ-145 platform. On 25 June 2026, DRDO formally handed over the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate for the Netra AEW&C system to the IAF, certifying that the system had completed all trials and validation and was fully combat-ready.[3][1]
A more capable Netra Mk-2 variant is in development, adding a supplementary nose-mounted antenna to the existing dorsal array to extend radar coverage from 240 to 300 degrees, closing the rear blind-spot present in the Mk-1 configuration. Delivery of the first Netra Mk-2 aircraft is expected in 2026–27.[1]
| Type | Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system |
| Developer | Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), DRDO |
| Platform | Embraer EMB-145I / ERJ-145 |
| Radar | AESA, 240° coverage (Mk-1); 300° with added nose antenna (Mk-2) |
| Fleet size | 3 Netra Mk-1 in service; Mk-2 deliveries expected 2026–27 |
| FOC granted | 25 June 2026 |
| User | Indian Air Force |