The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, marking a major milestone for India's airborne surveillance and battle management capabilities and the country's push for defence self-reliance.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over the FOC certificate to the IAF at a ceremony in Bengaluru on June 25. The system had received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2017.
Developed jointly by the IAF, DRDO and industry partners, the Netra AEW&C system is designed to enhance airborne surveillance, situational awareness and battle management capabilities. DRDO described the achievement as "a landmark achievement in India’s journey towards self-reliance in advanced aerospace & defence technologies."
Presiding over the ceremony, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti highlighted the system's operational performance, including during recent military operations.
According to DRDO, Bharti "spoke about the operational utilisation and reliability of the system during Operation Sindoor and Balakot strikes." He also "reiterated the importance of indigenous technologies which offer the services the flexibility to adapt the system to the evolving war scenario by undertaking modifications."
Bharti further "lauded the synergy among DRDO, IAF and the industry which has defined the success of the programme."
DRDO's Director General (Aeronautics Cluster), Dr K Rajalakshmi Menon, recounted the development journey of the programme and highlighted the role of system engineering in planning and executing flight tests.
Director General (Electronics Cluster) Dr BK Das said the collaboration among stakeholders had been central to the project's success and termed Netra AEW&C "a defining testimony to self-reliance and attaining ‘Viksit Bharat’."
DRDO said the successful induction of Netra into operational service reflects its commitment to indigenisation, innovation and capability enhancement of the armed forces, while showcasing cooperation between military users, scientific institutions and defence industry partners.
