The acquisition of advanced Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and more mid-air refuelers will allow the Indian Air Force (IAF) to greatly improve its surveillance and force projection capabilities in response to the changing security dynamics in the region and the lessons learned from Operation Sindoor.
Six more Brazilian Embraer aircraft, which will be transformed into AEW&C platforms fitted with Netra Mark 1A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars created by DRDO, are about to be approved for purchase by the Ministry of Defense. The goal of this action is to fortify India’s conventional deterrence posture and close important capability gaps.
With better radar coverage, expanded mission suites, and increased electronic intelligence capabilities, the Netra Mk1A is a more sophisticated version of the current domestic AEW&C system.
Under DRDO, the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) will locally modify these aircraft, which are based on the EMB-145 platform, by utilizing new transmit/receive modules based on gallium nitride and software improvements.
In order to monitor enemy territory up to 350 kilometers away, provide early warning of aerial threats, and coordinate air operations—capabilities that proved crucial during high-stakes scenarios like the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the recent Operation Sindoor—the IAF will almost triple its AEW&C fleet with this upgrade.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which presently flies a combination of eight SAAB-2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft, four Chinese ZDK-03 platforms, and three Dassault Falcon DA-20 jets for electronic warfare, has strong surveillance and electronic warfare capabilities, which makes these acquisitions imperative.
Notably, India used the S-400 air defense system to shoot down a Pakistani SAAB-2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft at a distance of 314 kilometers during Operation Sindoor, showcasing its superior air defense capabilities. The increased AEW&C fleet of the IAF will counter the technological and numerical advantage that regional enemies now possess.
India is strengthening its aerial refueling capabilities in tandem with the AEW&C expansion. Through a worldwide Request for Proposal (RFP), the government has authorized the wet lease of one KC-135 mid-air refueler from US-based Metrea and started the process of acquiring six more refuelers.
India’s capacity to maintain air operations over long stretches of time and distance will be improved by these assets, which will complement the current fleet of six Russian IL-78M refuelers and guarantee increased operational endurance for both fighter and support aircraft.
Following the terror strikes at Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor highlighted the strategic necessity of these changes. Indian drones allegedly targeted areas deep into Pakistan, and between May 7 and May 10, 2025, Indian forces carried out precision strikes on nine terror camps and thirteen Pakistani airbases and military installations.
Additionally, the mission enabled India to retrieve and examine cutting-edge Chinese and Turkish weaponry, including the YIHA drone, Fatah rockets, and the PL-15 air-to-air missile. In addition to their own Rafale fighters, Indian technical experts are now in a unique position to analyze the real-world performance of Chinese platforms such as the J-10 and JF-17 fighters, HQ-9 air defense systems, and SH-15 howitzers. This gives India access to vital operational data that no other nation can match.
Although India accomplished important tactical and strategic goals, post-operation evaluations show that there is still a risk of mass-casualty assaults by jihadist organizations based in Pakistan. India’s swift modernization and force multiplication initiatives are considered crucial to preserving a credible deterrent and guaranteeing national security, as Pakistan is anticipated to further improve its capabilities with Chinese and Turkish military assistance, including submarines, frigates, drones, and upgraded aircraft.
An important step in strengthening India’s air defense and surveillance system is the purchase of six more Netra MK-1A AEW&C aircraft with mid-flight refuelers. These actions, along with the special operational knowledge acquired during Operation Sindoor, put the IAF in a stronger position to defend against new threats and demonstrate air superiority in the area.
