BENGALURU: The indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system — Netra — on Thursday achieved Final Operational Clearance (FOC), marking a milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen airborne surveillance, battle management and network-centric warfare capabilities through homegrown technology.The FOC was formally handed over to the IAF during a ceremony in Bengaluru attended by senior serving and retired military officials, DRDO scientists and industry partners associated with the programme.Declaring the achievement a landmark moment for India’s defence ecosystem, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, said the clearance represented far more than the completion of a technology programme.
The FOC was formally handed over to the IAF during a ceremony in Bengaluru attended by senior serving and retired military officials, DRDO scientists and industry partners associated with the programme.
“It’s a proud moment to declare AEW&C’s Final Operational Clearance. This isn’t 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,” he said.Bharti noted that the journey from concept to operational capability involved significant technological challenges, innovation and perseverance. He highlighted that the IAF was deeply involved throughout the programme, participating in design, development, integration, testing and operationalisation rather than functioning solely as the end user.“Perhaps the greatest testimony to the faith that the IAF had in this indigenous programme was our decision to induct the platform operationally even before the final operational clearance,” he said.The Deputy Air Chief also stressed on the operational utility of the platform, citing its performance during the Balakot air strikes and Operation Sindoor. He said indigenous systems provide the armed forces the flexibility to rapidly adapt to evolving battlefield requirements through modifications and upgrades.Developed by DRDO, led by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), the Netra AEW&C programme is among India’s most complex airborne surveillance projects. Mounted on an Embraer aircraft platform, the system significantly enhances the Air Force’s ability to detect, track and manage aerial threats over large areas.
Netra is an indigenous AEWC having come to life after a 35-year journey
In a video message, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, said the achievement assumes greater significance amid a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. Recalling the programme’s journey since receiving approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security in Oct 2004, he praised the collaboration among DRDO, the IAF, certification agencies and industry partners.Dixit also welcomed the planned expansion of the Netra programme through the induction of six additional aircraft, expressing confidence that future projects would replicate the success of the indigenous airborne early warning system.DRDO officials described the FOC as both a technological and strategic milestone that strengthens India’s self-reliance in advanced aerospace and defence technologies while enhancing the country’s airborne command-and-control capabilities.
