In a significant move to bolster India's aerial surveillance capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are gearing up to issue a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) to Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer within the coming months.
This development follows recent clearances from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), paving the way for the procurement of six additional Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft.
These jets will serve as the foundation for the indigenous Netra Mk-1A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) programme.
The upcoming acquisition will significantly expand the IAF's existing airborne early warning fleet.
The six newly procured airframes will undergo comprehensive modifications by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS).
Once completed, these advanced platforms will join the three original Netra Mk-1 aircraft currently in active service—which have already proven their strategic value in operations such as the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.
This expansion will bring the total Embraer-based AEW&C fleet to nine aircraft, providing critical 24/7 aerial surveillance.
While the exterior of the ERJ-145 will look familiar, the internal systems of the Mk-1A will feature a generational leap in technology.
The cornerstone of this upgrade is the integration of Gallium Nitride (GaN) solid-state components into the aircraft's Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
Transitioning from the older Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) technology, the new GaN modules will provide superior power generation, enhanced thermal management, and a longer operational lifespan.
Consequently, the upgraded radar system is projected to push its detection envelope to approximately 450 kilometres, a massive improvement over the 250 to 300-kilometre range of the current Mk-1 platforms.
To complement the powerful new radar, CABS is developing sophisticated mission software and sensor-fusion algorithms.
This modernised digital architecture is specifically tailored to identify and track complex, low-signature threats, including fifth-generation stealth fighters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Furthermore, the enhanced processing power will facilitate the early detection of ultra-fast targets like hypersonic weapons, ensuring the IAF maintains a crucial tactical advantage in highly contested airspace.
Because Embraer ceased commercial production of the ERJ-145 regional jet years ago, the company is facilitating the sale of pre-owned civilian airframes that have already passed rigorous inspections by IAF teams.
Upon finalising the contract, these jets will be entirely stripped of their commercial interiors to make room for indigenous military avionics, secure communication data links, electronic warfare suites, and cutting-edge radar arrays.
Embraer's recent establishment of a dedicated Indian subsidiary in mid-2025, alongside its collaboration with local private sector partners like Adani Defence and Aerospace, is expected to streamline this complex integration and support India's broader 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' defence manufacturing goals.
Defence officials anticipate a steady progression for the Netra Mk-1A programme. The formal RFP and subsequent contract signing are projected for the middle of 2026.
The initial delivery of a modified, unequipped airframe to India could happen as early as 2027. Following this, DRDO will commence the intricate process of system integration and flight trials heading into late 2027 or 2028.
If the current schedule holds, the IAF will receive its first fully operational Netra Mk-1A by late 2028 or early 2029, with the remaining five aircraft rolling out in staggered intervals of eight to ten months.
