According to Manu Pubby of Economic Times, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian defense industry as a whole have made significant progress with the center’s official approval of a large ₹20,000 crore project for the development of indigenous Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS).
The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), in partnership with a group of Indian companies and Airbus, is leading this project, which is known as the AWACS India program or Netra MK-2.
Six Airbus A321 aircraft that were previously purchased from Air India will be used as the new AWACS’s platforms under this project. The installation of a dorsal fin-mounted radar on top of the fuselage to provide all-around situational awareness is one of the many complex systems and structural changes that these aircraft will undergo.
The objective is to outfit these platforms with a fully indigenous mission control suite and cutting-edge AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars. With Adani Defence & Aerospace spearheading the industry collaboration, the mission systems are being developed and produced in India.
360-degree radar coverage with extra sensor arrays mounted on the nose in addition to the primary dorsal antenna
a long-range ability to track enemy aircraft, ground sensors, and other equipment
Advanced communication intelligence (COMINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities
Multi-mission operator stations for real-time command and control, as well as increased altitude and endurance
Following a roughly three-year project timeline, the first operational aircraft is anticipated to be delivered to the IAF in 2026–2027. In areas previously served by a small number of domestic NETRA aircraft and the imported IL-76 “Phalcon” systems—the latter of which have experienced availability and technical problems—this would greatly strengthen India’s surveillance and command capabilities.
Based on the larger Airbus A321 platform, the Netra MK-2 will provide significantly better operational flexibility, data fusion, and radar range than current systems.
In India, which has historically been a market dominated by Boeing models, this is the first time an Airbus platform will be modified for such intricate military applications. In addition to improving India’s national security, the successful completion and operationalization of this AWACS program is anticipated to give Indian businesses invaluable experience in the development of high-end aerospace systems, which may lead to new export prospects.
By utilizing domestic innovation, industrial partnerships, and state-of-the-art technology integration, the indigenous AWACS project represents a significant step towards defense technology self-reliance (“Atmanirbhar Bharat”).
