17-07-2025
IAF to get six desi eyes in the sky that can track China, Pakistan activity from hundreds of km away
India has given final financial approval to a Rs 20,000 crore project to build six new airborne early warning and control systems (
Awacs India
) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), significantly boosting its ability to monitor enemy activity deep inside hostile territory. These aircraft will act as the country's 'big eyes in the sky', capable of tracking threats from hundreds of kilometres away.
New Awacs aircraft to monitor skies, ground, and act as control centre
As per an ET report by Mannu Pubby, the new Awacs, based on modified Airbus A321 planes, will be equipped with advanced radar and surveillance systems that can detect and monitor enemy aircraft, missile launches, and ground activity. They will also function as flying command centres, giving the IAF real-time control during air operations.
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The six aircraft have already been acquired from Air India. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will now work with Airbus and Indian companies to integrate a complex radar dome and mission systems onboard.
Top-mounted radar for all-round surveillance
Each aircraft will undergo major structural changes, including the installation of a dorsal radar dome on the fuselage. This setup allows for 360-degree radar coverage over long ranges. The aircraft will also carry fully indigenous AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars and mission control systems.
Timeline and strategic boost
The project is expected to be completed in three years. Once operational, the new Awacs will add strategic depth to India's defence surveillance network and reduce dependence on foreign platforms. This is also the first time an Airbus aircraft will be used in such a role in India, with Boeing systems dominating the space globally.
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₹20,000 crore project: Indigenous Awacs gets go-ahead, to be developed by DRDO
Officials see export potential for the indigenous systems once development and integration are completed.
Home-made Awacs India programme
The Awacs India programme, also called Netra MkII, is led by DRDO. It follows another recent approval given to the agency to build prototypes of India's fifth-generation Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft.
India currently operates smaller Netra systems, which played a key role in past standoffs with Pakistan. The IAF also uses three IL76-based Phalcon systems developed with Israel and Russia, but they have faced technical and maintenance issues.
With the new approval, India aims to develop a more reliable, domestically built airborne surveillance system capable of keeping a constant watch on both China and Pakistan's military activity.
How AWACS works thousands of km above ground in air
Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) are specially modified aircraft fitted with powerful radars that can detect and track enemy aircraft, drones, and missile launches from hundreds of kilometres away. The system provides 360-degree surveillance of the airspace and relays real-time information to ground stations and fighter aircraft. This helps air forces detect threats early, identify targets, and respond faster during operations.
AWACS aircraft act like flying command centres, equipped with advanced communication and data-link systems that allow them to coordinate air battles, guide interceptor jets to targets, and monitor enemy movements over both land and sea. The radar, usually mounted in a dome on top of the aircraft, scans the skies continuously, even tracking low-flying or stealthy targets that ground-based radars may miss. By staying airborne for long durations, AWACS extends the visibility and control range of the air force deep into enemy territory.
Indian AWACS: Netra Series and Future Generations
Netra Mk 1 – India's First Indigenous AWACS
India's first indigenously developed Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C), named Netra, was formally handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2017. It flies on an Embraer EMB‑145 platform, with a radar coverage of about 240° and tracking range between 250 km and 375 km, depending on the target's radar signature.
The aircraft includes AESA radar, secondary surveillance radar, electronic support, identification friend or foe (IFF), satellite datalinks, and self‑protection systems including missile‑warning receivers and air‑to‑air refuelling for extended missions.
Awacs Operational Use and Significance
Netra played a critical role during the 2019 Balakot airstrike, offering real‑time surveillance and coordination of IAF assets. It has also been deployed to monitor sensitive regions such as the Ladakh area during standoffs with China.
Netra Mk 1A
Netra Mk 1A variant has enhanced mission suite, upgraded sensors, GaN‑based AESA radar, better human‑machine interface, and tighter integration into IAF systems.
Expected to maintain the same 240° radar coverage but with longer range (approx. 450 km) and better detection of low‑observability aircraft like drones and stealth jets.
Around six Netra Mk 1A units are planned under procurement (estimated value Rs 9,000 crore).
Netra Mk 2: The Six Big Eyes in the Sky
Netra Mk 2, based on the Airbus A321 platform, is India's next‑generation AEW&C.
This version will feature 300° radar coverage, GaN‑based AESA radar with a detection range over 500 km, and improved all‑round situational awareness, including drone and low‑RCS aerial threats
Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026–27, with the full six‑aircraft fleet inducted by the end of the decade.
