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.