A few days ago, India’s Security Cabinet approved a 1.85 billion euro project for six Netra MkII AEW&C aircraft based on the Airbus A321. The name of the program is Netra MkII.
Back in March, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the purchase of six Netra MkIA-AEW&C aircraft based on the Embraer EMB-145 aircraft for around 1.07 billion euros.
The dual approach is intended to close a critical gap in India’s air defense architecture. The Indian Air Force currently operates three Netra MkI AEW&C aircraft based on the Embraer EMB-145 and three Il-76s with Israeli Phalcon radar systems.
In contrast, regional rival Pakistan operates 13 AEW&C aircraft and China even operates over 30 airborne early warning systems.
The Netra MkII system is said to have a GaN-based AESA radar with 300 to 360 degree coverage and a nose-mounted sensor. The detection range is said to be over 500 kilometers.
The six Airbus A321s come from Air India and are presumably being built by Airbus Defence will be converted. Initial flight tests are expected in 2029, with full deployment of the system in the first half of the 2030s.
Netra MkIA will also use a GaN-based AESA radar, but only with 240 degree coverage. The Embraer EMB-145 is no longer in production. It is therefore expected that the six aircraft will be procured from Embraer’s used stocks.
