India Plans to Counter Pak's J-35A Stealth Jets with Indigenous Netra Mk1A AWACS featuring GaN Radar Tech and Advanced AI Processing

India is advancing its aerial surveillance and defence capabilities with the development of a next-generation Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS), known as the Netra Mk1A.

This strategic initiative is designed to counter emerging regional threats, particularly Pakistan's reported plans to acquire the J-35A stealth fighter jet from China.

The new system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents a significant upgrade to India's airborne surveillance platforms.

Its primary mission is to detect and track aircraft with very low radar visibility, such as stealth fighters, from extended distances, ensuring the Indian Air Force (IAF) can maintain situational awareness and a tactical advantage in the skies.

The Evolving Security Landscape​

The push for the Netra Mk1A is driven by regional military advancements, most notably the Pakistan Air Force's potential induction of the Shenyang J-35A.

The J-35A is a modern, twin-engine stealth fighter developed by China, designed for air superiority and strike missions. Its low-observable characteristics, which include a specialised airframe design and radar-absorbent materials, present a formidable challenge to conventional radar systems, making early detection difficult.

In response to this challenge, the DRDO and the IAF have prioritised the development of an indigenous solution capable of neutralising the stealth advantage of such advanced aircraft.

Technological Leap with GaN Radar​

At the heart of the Netra Mk1A's capabilities is its state-of-the-art Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which utilises Gallium Nitride (GaN) based technology. This marks a major technological step up from the Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) modules used in older radar systems.

GaN-based components offer superior performance by providing higher power output and greater efficiency. This allows the Netra Mk1A's radar to generate a more powerful signal and achieve the sensitivity needed to detect the faint returns from low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets.

The system is being engineered to operate across multiple frequency bands, making it more resilient and capable of identifying stealth aircraft at significant distances.

Advanced Processing and AI Integration​

Beyond the advanced radar hardware, the Netra Mk1A will incorporate sophisticated software upgrades. It will feature advanced signal processing algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse the radar data in real-time.

This AI-driven system will be crucial for distinguishing the weak radar signature of a stealth aircraft from background noise and clutter, thereby reducing false alarms and improving the accuracy of tracking hostile targets.

This flow of precise, real-time data on the position and trajectory of enemy aircraft will be vital for the IAF. It will enable fighter jets like the Rafale and Su-30MKI to effectively intercept threats before they can pose a danger.

A Significant Upgrade Over Predecessors​

The Netra Mk1A is a direct evolution of the currently operational Netra Mk1 system, which has been serving the IAF on Embraer EMB-145 aircraft since 2017.

While the original Netra provides 240-degree coverage and a detection range of around 250-300 km for conventional targets, the Mk1A version is designed for the new era of aerial warfare.

Key enhancements in the Netra Mk1A include:

• Superior Detection: The GaN-based radar will significantly improve the detection range and resolution, specifically against stealth targets.
• Enhanced Connectivity: The system will feature improved data links for seamless integration into the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), a robust network that connects all air defence assets for a unified view of the airspace.
• Improved Hardware: Upgraded power systems and cooling mechanisms will support sustained, high-performance operation during long missions.

This project is a key part of India's broader strategy to build self-reliance in critical defence technologies.

Spearheaded by the DRDO's Bengaluru-based Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), the Netra Mk1A program leverages insights from previous projects to ensure India's air defence framework remains resilient and ahead of emerging threats.

 

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[Enforcer]

Has Uttam been upgraded to GaN based? Last time i checked it was still GaAS based.

 

[Abs29]

Unless they radically change the radar to have at least 1500+ T/R modules, all the modifications to Netra Mk1 would be superficial and won't cut it against something like the Saab Erieye, forget the GlobalEye, which reportedly has a detection range of 550 km. Unless they dump the CABS AEW radar and rope in the private sector, more specifically DataPatterns, the system may as well become obsolete even before it enters service, by becoming too little too late.

 

[Jabberwock]

It's worrisome. The Pakistani Saab Erieye-2000 AEW&C has been shot down inside Pakistan within 315 km of its border. That means that the detection range of its radar is more than that to be able to detect India's fighter jets and be useful. So, add 200 km to make use of BVR battle data, so the range should be approximately around 500 km.

Another point is that with a stealth platform, Pakistan can initiate a surprise attack within India, unless India operates AWACS 24/7.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to increase the number of indigenous AWACS it has to at least 12 but we need more than that in reality. In this variant we need to increase our radars detection range to at least 400km or more and increase the detection angle to cover 360 degree. We also need to install the technology and equipment that gives us the SIGINT, COMINT, SATCOM, SDR, IRST, EW etc and carry out ISTAR missions.

They should also quickly complete our larger Airbus 321 AWACS which will be more advanced, better technology, better equipment and longer range which will help us a lot. Although we are only buying 6 planes in reality we should buy 12 which will give us 24 AWACS altogether with half being light and the other half being heavy AWACS.

 

[nara]

This is the way to go. Develop even more powerful and effective stealth-detecting radars, thereby neutralizing any advantage of enemy's stealth fighters. Develop your own stealth jets tech, but no need to buy expensive foreign jets. Maybe SU57, if you get ToT and make in India completely, with any jet engine tech obtained. AMCA is the best way forward.

 

[Rational Guy]

Has Uttam been upgraded to GaN based? Last time i checked it was still GaAS based.

Apparently GaN Uttam had entered production. DRDO has 14 nm finfet lab scale GaN lab in Bengal

 

[Rational Guy]

Unless they radically change the radar to have at least 1500+ T/R modules, all the modifications to Netra Mk1 would be superficial and won't cut it against something like the Saab Erieye, forget the GlobalEye, which reportedly has a detection range of 550 km. Unless they dump the CABS AEW radar and rope in the private sector, more specifically DataPatterns, the system may as well become obsolete even before it enters service, by becoming too little too late.

It will be better. AWACS has a max scanning range, and our Mk1 with GaAs itself can do 470 km at max scanning range. So imagine what the Mk1A can do.

 

[Rational Guy]

It's worrisome. The Pakistani Saab Erieye-2000 AEW&C has been shot down inside Pakistan within 315 km of its border. That means that the detection range of its radar is more than that to be able to detect India's fighter jets and be useful. So, add 200 km to make use of BVR battle data, so the range should be approximately around 500 km.

Another point is that with a stealth platform, Pakistan can initiate a surprise attack within India, unless India operates AWACS 24/7.

India will have losses on the first day but will gain the upper hand very quickly as Pakistan can't protect its oil supply and storage sites from Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Indian Rocket Force attacks. You can't fly anything without oil.

 

[Abs29]

It will be better. AWACS has a max scanning range, and our Mk1 with GaAs itself can do 470 km at max scanning range. So imagine what the Mk1A can do.

That's not the only problem. Whike GaaS based radar architecture is indeed a limitation, the Saab EriEye also has GaaS T/R modules yet delivers more than 400km range. Our Netra still does not give such performance as it has limited TR modules and a fairly small radar and thus only yields a tracking range of 200km.

 

[Rational Guy]

That's not the only problem. Whike GaaS based radar architecture is indeed a limitation, the Saab EriEye also has GaaS T/R modules yet delivers more than 400km range. Our Netra still does not give such performance as it has limited TR modules and a fairly small radar and thus only yields a tracking range of 200km.

You didn't read what I said. Our Netra Mk1 with GaAs has modes which can track at 450-470 km range. When this mode is activated under what conditions, I am not aware. But DRDO ina very old slide it gave in an obscure place showed it could successfully track targets at 450 km. Which means Mk1A will be even more capable.

 

[Abs29]

You didn't read what I said. Our Netra Mk1 with GaAs has modes which can track at 450-470 km range. When this mode is activated under what conditions, I am not aware. But DRDO ina very old slide it gave in an obscure place showed it could successfully track targets at 450 km. Which means Mk1A will be even more capable.

Yet, just 2 days back there was a article on same site that said realistic tracking range was just 200 km. There is a world of a difference between actual performance of Netra as claimed by DRDO, and it's actual performance in real time battle field environment.