The story so far
DRDO AEW&C Mk-II Contracts
Tracked across 3 sources · Updated 4h ago
DRDO's CABS signed two contracts with AIESL and Adani Defence for the AEW&C Mk-II programme, integrating systems on six Airbus A321 aircraft for the IAF, boosting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
How it unfolded
2d ago
Details emerge: Six Airbus A321s to become Netra Mk II
3d ago
DRDO signs contracts with AIESL and Adani for AEW&C Mk-II
What happened earlier
Latest updates
Latest
Full story →Netra, AWACS & Mk II: Inside India's tiered airborne surveillance shield
India signed two contracts to develop the AEW&C Mk II system, with CABS and AIESL converting six Airbus A321 aircraft to green configuration as airborne warning platforms.
Adani Defence Systems and Technologies (ADSTL) was appointed Development-cum-Production Partner for the AEW&C Mk II mission systems, integrating private industry into high-end defence projects.
The AEW&C Mk II is designed for longer endurance, advanced surveillance, secure communications, and enhanced command-and-control to strengthen India's layered air-defence network.
The IAF achieved Final Operational Clearance for the Netra AEW&C system on Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft, providing tactical airborne surveillance for border monitoring and low-flying cruise missile tracking.
India's airborne surveillance shield uses a tiered approach: Netra for tactical coverage, AWACS (Phalcon on Il-76) for strategic 360-degree radar and airborne command, but the current fleet is too small.
Earlier · 2d ago
Full story →DRDO's CABS signs AEW&C Mk-II contracts with AIESL, Adani Defence
DRDO's CABS signed two contracts with AIESL and Adani Defence for the AEW&C Mk-II Programme.
Contracts were signed in New Delhi on July 22, 2026.
The AEW&C Mk-II Programme supports the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in defence manufacturing.