India's airborne surveillance capabilities have reached a major milestone. The country's indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) programme recently secured Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for the first NETRA Mk1 aircraft equipped with an advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
The FOC certificate, officially handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 25, 2026, was confirmed by former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Dr. S. Christopher.
This achievement ensures that all three NETRA Mk1 aircraft in the IAF's inventory will eventually be upgraded to feature this cutting-edge radar technology.
Dr. Christopher, who spearheaded the NETRA project and is considered the chief architect behind India’s indigenous AEW&C capabilities, shared this update during an online interview.
His statements provide concrete confirmation that the remaining two Embraer ERJ-145-based NETRA Mk1 planes are slated for the same radar upgrades, creating a uniform and highly capable fleet.
Leaping from GaAs to GaN Technology
Initially, the NETRA Mk1 aircraft relied on Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) radar technology, which represented a massive success for India's domestic defence electronics sector at the time.However, modern military hardware is rapidly shifting toward Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors. GaN-based radars are far superior because they can operate at much higher power levels, manage heat more effectively, and offer significantly improved detection ranges.
By swapping the older technology for GaN-based Transmit/Receive modules, the upgraded NETRA Mk1 can track smaller, low-observable targets at much greater distances.
Recent reports indicate that the new radar configuration extends the aircraft's tracking range to approximately 450 kilometres—a substantial leap from the estimated 200 to 250-kilometre range of the original system—all while maintaining its 240-degree coverage arc.
Merging the Mk1 and Mk1A Standards
With the first upgraded aircraft successfully achieving operational clearance, this strategy fundamentally changes the future roadmap of the NETRA programme.Previously, the IAF and DRDO had envisioned a separate "NETRA Mk1A" variant specifically to introduce the GaN radar. Now that the existing Mk1 airframes are receiving this technology directly, the operational capability gap between the Mk1 and the planned Mk1A has been entirely closed.
This streamlined approach means the IAF will not need to manage different radar standards across its ERJ-145 fleet. Operating a single, common standard simplifies daily maintenance, lowers long-term logistics costs, and makes future software updates seamless across all three aircraft.
Paving the Way for Netra Mk2
This technological leap highlights the growing expertise within DRDO laboratories, particularly the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) and the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE).The hands-on experience of successfully developing and integrating GaN radars on the Embraer platforms will directly benefit India's next-generation strategic projects.
Most notably, the upcoming NETRA Mk2 programme—which will be mounted on larger Airbus A321 aircraft—will rely heavily on this mature GaN technology to provide 300-degree coverage and track threats deep into hostile airspace.
The NETRA AEW&C system is a vital force multiplier for the Indian Air Force.
Operating as an "eye in the sky," it provides early warning against incoming hostile aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones, while also acting as a flying command center to guide friendly fighter jets during complex combat operations.
With the integration of GaN technology across the Mk1 fleet and the future induction of the Netra Mk2, India is firmly cementing its place among the elite group of nations capable of building and fielding advanced airborne early warning systems.
