DRDO's 'Netra' AEW&C Program Nears Full Operational Status by Year End after 7 Years of Development

India's domestically developed Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C), known as NETRA, is close to achieving Final Operational Configuration (FOC) after nearly seven years of development and rigorous testing.

This milestone, expected by the end of the year, will signify that the system is fully operational and ready to fulfill the Indian Air Force's (IAF) strategic surveillance and defense requirements.

The NETRA program, spearheaded by the DRDO, received Initial Operational Configuration (IOC) status in 2017. Since then, the IAF has been operating two NETRA Mk1 AEW&CS systems based on the Embraer ERJ-145 platform. A third platform serves as a joint DRDO-IAF testbed for ongoing system enhancements.

This year has seen significant progress in the NETRA program. The IAF received clearance to procure six NETRA Mk1A (Advanced) systems, featuring various improvements over the initial version.

Additionally, clearance was granted for the acquisition of six NETRA MkII systems, based on the Airbus A321 platform. These advanced systems will offer enhanced range and tracking capabilities, significantly bolstering the IAF's surveillance capabilities.

The NETRA AEW&C program represents a major achievement for India's indigenous defense technology capabilities. Providing the IAF with a critical surveillance and command-and-control asset, NETRA enhances its ability to monitor and respond to aerial and ground threats.

As the program progresses towards FOC, India is poised to further strengthen its air defense capabilities, ensuring a more secure and responsive defense network.

 

[Praveen]

After so long these India now want to acquire 6 more Embraer ERJ-145. But the production of this aircraft is now closed. But they are considering to buy used jets. Is India consider the airforce as the gathering place of junkyard or what. Instead of delaying all things they could just move forward with C-390 as a common platform for Netra aew&c, cargo transport, ASW, aerial refueling tanker. This could make logistics easy and cost less also.

 

[NSR]

If Netra IA AEWC platform getting FOC by end of the year, then did India initiate any actions to acquire 6 additional used Embraer ERJ-145 jets or new versions of it at all?

It will take years to get new ones but some good condition old ones may be available in the open market for refurbishment and remanufacturing with antennas.

India should go ahead and manufacture 6 shipsets of everything while the jets are being acquired so final assembly will be fairly quick endeavor.
Need to plan and execute at the same time.

Remember terroristan have AEWCs and AWACs than India and that is shameful.

 

[Anant]

After so long these India now want to acquire 6 more Embraer ERJ-145. But the production of this aircraft is now closed. But they are considering to buy used jets. Is India consider the airforce as the gathering place of junkyard or what. Instead of delaying all things they could just move forward with C-390 as a common platform for Netra aew&c, cargo transport, ASW, aerial refueling tanker. This could make logistics easy and cost less also.

You mean the C-390 and not the C-290, I assume?

 

[Anant]

If Netra IA AEWC platform getting FOC by end of the year, then did India initiate any actions to acquire 6 additional used Embraer ERJ-145 jets or new versions of it at all?

It will take years to get new ones but some good condition old ones may be available in the open market for refurbishment and remanufacturing with antennas.

You aren't getting new ERJ-145s now. The production lines are closed. Embraer offered the newer Phenom jets (which are the successors of the ERJ family), but the IAF would rather prefer second-hand ERJs.

 

[Praveen]

You mean the C-390 and not the C-290, I assume?

C-295 is from Airbus (not C-290 ) it's just small turboprop with max 6 tons payload. C-390 is from the same Embraer, it's 26 tons payload jet transport aircraft currently in MTA program.
IAF has already ordered 56 aircraft with 2 to 3 already in service. DRDO has also tried to make C-295 as common platform for aew&c but the IAF clearly rejected it.

 

[NSR]

You aren't getting new ERJ-145s now. The production lines are closed. Embraer offered the newer Phenom jets (which are the successors of the ERJ family), but the IAF would rather prefer second-hand ERJs.

I know that sir, and that is what I mean by NEW JETS.
Brazil and Embraer offered that new jet to India a while ago.
Thanks.

 

[Anant]

C-295 is from Airbus (not C-290 ) it's just small turboprop with max 6 tons payload. C-390 is from the same Embraer, it's 26 tons payload jet transport aircraft currently in MTA program.
IAF has already ordered 56 aircraft with 2 to 3 already in service. DRDO has also tried to make C-295 as common platform for aew&c but the IAF clearly rejected it.

Well, you mentioned the C-290, so wanted to clarify which one you meant.

Anyways, the C-295 will not be capable of the wide gambit of operations as you are putting. A C-295 would be a terrible aerial refueled, and given it's small size and payload, I have a feeling it wouldn't be a particularly good AEW&C aircraft either, given it's lower ceiling and slower speed. The only place where the C-295 beats the ERJ in this is range. Given the payload, it would be decent light transport aircraft, but nothing beyond it.

I am firmly of the belief that the An-32 fleet should be replaced by a mix of C-295s and either more C-130Js or C-390s. Whichever of the latter two wins should also be used as a platform for aerial tankers, MPAs, AWACS aircraft, etc. At the same time, the Il-76 fleet should be replaced with a number of A400Ms, potentially with a few second-hand C-17s if we can manage it.

 

[Pratimesh Singh]

Also can someone shed light on this query weren't IAF in the process to acquire 3 Briev A-50 aircrafts from Russia? Any updates on this ?

 

[Rajesh]

Anyways, the C-295 will not be capable of the wide gambit of operations as you are putting. A C-295 would be a terrible aerial refueled, and given it's small size and payload, I have a feeling it wouldn't be a particularly good AEW&C aircraft either, given it's lower ceiling and slower speed. The only place where the C-295 beats the ERJ in this is range. Given the payload, it would be decent light transport aircraft, but nothing beyond it.

There is already Israelis miniaturizing the Elta E/L-2090 and tested it on the C-295 aircraft. Even a prototype is built and tested. OK , so stop baseless arguments.

 

[Rajesh]

I am firmly of the belief that the An-32 fleet should be replaced by a mix of C-295s and either more C-130Js or C-390s. Whichever of the latter two wins should also be used as a platform for aerial tankers, MPAs, AWACS aircraft, etc. At the same time, the Il-76 fleet should be replaced with a number of A400Ms, potentially with a few second-hand C-17s if we can manage it.

Then India will go bankrupt overnight if it buys A400Ms in large numbers. IL-76 is currently upgraded and modernized so don't underestimate that aircraft. It is now capable of Carrying more than 60 tons of cargo. Well only upto that it is tested. If airframe is further strengthened and the engine which I mentioned is installed it can carry upto 65 tons. So tell me which aircraft in the world is currently in production can carry more than 60 to 65 tons of cargo (military) except Chinese Xian Y-20 and IL-76ML can carry so much cargo. Airbus Beluga XL and Boeing Dreamlifter are nothing more than prototype right now, so don't include them. C-17 production is now stopped with the last delivery is our IAF.

 

[Anant]

Then India will go bankrupt overnight if it buys A400Ms in large numbers. IL-76 is currently upgraded and modernized so don't underestimate that aircraft. It is now capable of Carrying more than 60 tons of cargo. Well only upto that it is tested. If airframe is further strengthened and the engine which I mentioned is installed it can carry upto 65 tons. So tell me which aircraft in the world is currently in production can carry more than 60 to 65 tons of cargo (military) except Chinese Xian Y-20 and IL-76ML can carry so much cargo. Airbus Beluga XL and Boeing Dreamlifter are nothing more than prototype right now, so don't include them. C-17 production is now stopped with the last delivery is our IAF.

Payload doesn't matter beyond a point in operations. Like it or not, the Il-76 fleet of ours is aging, and even the newest airframes are about 35 years old. In another 10 years, all these airframes will be past their usable lives.

Moreover, I know there isn't any big airlifter in production. There are three alternatives the way I see it:

1. Get newer Il-76MD-90s to replace the older Il-76MDs.

2. Get some second-hand C-17s from the US.

3. See if we can join the Americans in their future airlifter program, which aims to develop a new airlifter to replace the C-5M Galaxy.

 

[Anant]

There is already Israelis miniaturizing the Elta E/L-2090 and tested it on the C-295 aircraft. Even a prototype is built and tested. OK , so stop baseless arguments.

Do you mean the ELTA EL/W-2090, perchance? I wasn't able to find anything called the E/L-2090.

If so, yeah, you aren't fitting that massive radome on a C295. A beam radar (similar to the Netra) might just about fit, but a radome won't.

Perhaps you mean the Israelis have tested a newer, miniaturised beam radar on the C295. Of so, I haven't found any sources, so would appreciate if you could point me to a source.

Oh, and as for the end of your comment, you do realise I am not omniscient, right? There are things I don't know, so if you want to get snippy, then be my guest, but it only makes you look bad.

 

[Rajesh]

Time our govt/drdo/force thinks out of the box like if medium transport aircraft Embraer is selected put a condition that they sell the ip& tot of either lineage1000 or legacy650 to us which anyways is retired for them . This platform can be used for i-star and awacs along with vip transportation and can also be used for udan schemes. Having a platform with us is a great luxury since there is not a trace of even a turboprop saras mk2 after all these years by our people and we r still assembling german dornier 228.

 

[Dredd]

1. Get newer Il-76MD-90s to replace the older Il-76MDs.

2. Get some second-hand C-17s from the US.

3. See if we can join the Americans in their future airlifter program, which aims to develop a new airlifter to replace the C-5M Galaxy.

1. IAF wont agree with any russian airlifter mostly due to engines technology and maintenance issue
2. US giving C17 has low chances
3. It's a good idea but our IAF usually go for tried and tested maal when it comes to procurements.

 

[Anant]

1. IAF wont agree with any russian airlifter mostly due to engines technology and maintenance issue
2. US giving C17 has low chances
3. It's a good idea but our IAF usually go for tried and tested maal when it comes to procurements.

In that case, boss, short of going for A400Ms, there isn't any other option, is there?

 

[MF]

Time our govt/drdo/force thinks out of the box like if medium transport aircraft Embraer is selected put a condition that they sell the ip& tot of either lineage1000 or legacy650 to us which anyways is retired for them . This platform can be used for i-star and awacs along with vip transportation and can also be used for udan schemes. Having a platform with us is a great luxury since there is not a trace of even a turboprop saras mk2 after all these years by our people and we r still assembling german dornier 228.

I don't think that Embraer would be willing to sell the intellectual property or propose a major transfer of technology for these aircraft, since by doing this, it is practically certain that India, at some point, would launch versions to compete with the Brazilian company's models.