DRDO Netra Mk2

Last updated
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.

Contents

Development

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

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:

Operators

See also

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Herk, Hans van (2023-10-05). "Additional AEW&C capacity for Indian Air Force". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ "Integrated Annual Report 2023-24" (PDF). Adani Enterprises Limited. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  9. ↑ 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.
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