DRDO Netra Mk2
| DRDO Netra Mk2 | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Airborne early warning and control |
| National origin | India |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Primary user | Indian Air Force (intended) |
| History | |
| Developed from | DRDO AEW&CS |
The DRDO Netra Mk2 is an upcoming Indian airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS) being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation for the Indian Air Force. It is the successor to the Netra Mk1, and will be mounted on second-hand Airbus A321 aircraft acquired from Air India. The project aims to provide India with a more capable indigenous airborne surveillance and battle management platform with extended radar coverage and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities.
Development
[edit]The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the acceptance of necessity for six Netra Mk2 aircraft in September 2021, with an estimated cost of ₹11,000 crore (US$1.5 billion in 2023).[1][2][3]
The A321 platforms are to be modified in France to military standards before being fitted with radar and surveillance suites in India.[4] By February 2024, developmental work on the six aircraft was already at an advanced stage, with DRDO working on larger and more capable versions of its indigenously developed AEW&C radar and sensor systems. The total cost at this stage was reported as ₹10,990 crore (US$1.3 billion).[5]
On 17 July 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security formally approved the project at a revised cost of ₹20,000 crore (US$2.4 billion).[6] On 19 August 2025, the CCS approved the purchase of six Netra Mk2 aircraft for ₹19,000 crore (US$2.2 billion), with full delivery anticipated in 2033–2034.[7]
For the Netra Mk2 program, Adani Defence & Aerospace was designated as the lowest bidder (L1 entity).[8]
Design and Features
[edit]The Netra Mk2 will feature a dorsal fin-mounted active electronically scanned array radar, providing 300° radar coverage. In addition, a secondary antenna will be installed in the nose of the aircraft to enhance forward coverage.
Other planned features include:
- Extended detection ranges compared to the Netra MkI.
- Multi-role mission control system for airspace surveillance, battle management, and communication relay.
- Integration of advanced indigenous sensors and electronic warfare suites.
- Use of Airbus A321 as the base platform, offering larger payload capacity and endurance compared to Embraer EMB-145 used in Netra Mk1A.
Operators
[edit]- Indian Air Force– The six Airbus A321 aircraft procured for the program are operated by the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron as of March 2025, pending conversion into AEW&CS Mk2 platforms.[9]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Singh, Rahul (2021-09-09). "DRDO to develop new early warning jets for IAF under ₹11,000 crore project". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (2021-09-09). "Modi govt okays 6 more 'eyes in the sky' for IAF, DRDO project to cost Rs 11,000 crore". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ Peri, Dinakar (2024-10-06). "IAF looking at 12 early warning aircraft under two different programmes". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ Herk, Hans van (2023-10-05). "Additional AEW&C capacity for Indian Air Force". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ "As Pakistan, China fly ahead, India guns for 12 more 'eyes in sky'". The Times of India. 2024-02-06. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ Pubby, Manu (2025-07-17). "Indigenous Awacs gets go-ahead, to be developed by DRDO". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ^ Pandit, Rajat (2025-08-20). "Acquisition of another 97 Tejas, 6 AEW&C aircraft gets CCS nod". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
- ^ "Integrated Annual Report 2023-24" (PDF). Adani Enterprises Limited. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex; ThePrint (2025-03-20). "Defence ministry clears key 'eye in the sky' project to catch up with Pakistan". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-03-21.