India’s indigenous Netra airborne warning system has received Final Operational Clearance after years of field use. However, while the milestone proves India’s technical skill, the Indian Air Force still needs more aircraft, better fleet depth and stronger control over the aircraft platform.

New Delhi (ABC Live): The Final Operational Clearance of the Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control system marks a major step for the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force.

However, the announcement needs careful reading.

Netra was not waiting on the ground for permission to fly. Instead, the Indian Air Force had already inducted and used the system under Initial Operational Clearance.

Moreover, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed Netra’s use during the Balakot strikes and Operation Sindoor. Therefore, the system had already become part of India’s real air operations before it received final clearance.

Final Operational Clearance does not create a new system overnight. Rather, it confirms that Netra has completed the required tests, changes, checks and approvals for its final accepted form.

Nevertheless, India still faces a major fleet gap. Although India has built the core warning and command system, it needs more aircraft, trained crews, spare parts and repair support.

In addition, India must ensure that enough aircraft remain available during a long crisis. Therefore, the real test will be whether India can keep Netra aircraft in the air across several fronts at the same time.

Key Points

  • Netra received Initial Operational Clearance in 2017.
  • It received Final Operational Clearance on 25 June 2026.
  • DRDO developed the main radar, mission and command systems.
  • However, Netra uses the Brazilian Embraer EMB-145 aircraft.
  • The Indian Air Force has already used Netra in military missions.
  • Final clearance proves that the accepted system has completed its main tests.
  • However, final clearance does not increase the number of aircraft.
  • India must speed up follow-on Netra programmes.
  • Moreover, future systems must track aircraft, drones and low-flying missiles.
  • Finally, India needs secure data links, quick repairs and steady spare-part supplies.

What Is the Netra AEW&C System?

Netra is an airborne warning, watch and battle-control system developed mainly by DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems.

According to the official DRDO Netra profile, the system can locate and track airborne targets. In addition, it can watch some sea-surface targets and detect hostile electronic signals.

Moreover, Netra can share information with officers inside the aircraft and with command centres on the ground.

Therefore, Netra is more than a radar fitted on an aircraft. Instead, it works as a flying warning, data and command centre.

For example, it can help commanders see threats beyond the normal range of many ground radars. As a result, fighter aircraft and air-defence units can receive earlier warnings.

In addition, Netra can help control fighter missions, guide interceptors and improve air battle planning.

What Netra Can Do

Netra can help the Indian Air Force in several ways.

First, it can detect and track aircraft from a high position in the sky.

Second, it can extend radar coverage beyond some ground-based limits.

Third, it can detect selected hostile electronic signals.

Moreover, it can pass warning data to fighter aircraft and command centres.

In addition, the system can help officers manage complex air missions.

Therefore, Netra can support both attack and defence operations.

However, the government does not reveal full details about its range, software, signal-tracking tools or wartime use.

Consequently, public range figures and other open-source claims should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed facts.

What Final Operational Clearance Means

Defence systems often enter service in stages.

At first, Initial Operational Clearance allows a system to carry out approved tasks. However, some tests, changes or checks may still remain.

Later, Final Operational Clearance confirms that the system has completed the agreed test and approval process.

Therefore, Netra’s final clearance shows that the Indian Air Force and the main approval bodies have accepted its final approved form.

Moreover, final clearance can help bring greater order to:

  • operating rules;
  • repair plans;
  • spare-part supply;
  • software changes;
  • crew training;
  • system records; and
  • long-term support.

However, final clearance does not mean that Netra will never change again.

On the contrary, airborne warning systems need regular upgrades. For example, rival forces may improve their aircraft, drones, missiles, radar jammers and cyber tools.

Therefore, DRDO and the Indian Air Force must keep updating Netra after FOC.

Why the Netra Milestone Matters

It Proves India’s System-Building Skill

An airborne warning aircraft combines many difficult parts.

For example, it needs radar, computers, software, communication tools, operator screens and aircraft power systems.

Moreover, all these parts must work together during long flights.

In addition, they must perform under heat, cold, vibration and electronic noise.

Therefore, the Netra programme is not only a radar success. Instead, it is a wider system-building success.

The DRDO Centre for Airborne Systems profile highlights Indian work in airborne radar, mission computers, sensor data and battle-control tools.

As a result, Netra has helped India build a skilled base for future airborne systems.

It Gives India More Control Over Upgrades

Imported systems can create long-term dependence.

For example, a foreign seller may control software access, repair rules, spare parts or new weapon links.

Moreover, political disputes or supply delays may limit support during a crisis.

By contrast, an Indian mission system gives the Indian Air Force more freedom to change software and add new features.

Therefore, India can react faster when the threat changes.

The Ministry of Defence also stressed this point in its Netra FOC announcement. It said that local systems give the armed forces more freedom to make changes for new war needs.

A similar issue appears in ABC Live’s report on DRDO’s IRSA 1.0 military communication system.

That report explains that real defence control requires more than buying hardware. Instead, India must also control software, data links and system upgrades.

It Has Already Been Used in Real Missions

Netra was used before final clearance.

Moreover, the government has referred to its use during Balakot and Operation Sindoor.

Therefore, Netra was not limited to test flights.

Instead, the Indian Air Force had already placed it within its wider command and warning network.

However, real use does not remove the need for formal approval.

Rather, field use can reveal weak points and help engineers make changes.

As a result, the Indian Air Force may have gained useful lessons before Netra received final clearance.

Why Netra Is Not Fully Indigenous

The government describes Netra as an indigenous AEW&C system.

That description is correct for the core mission system. However, it does not apply to the aircraft itself.

Netra uses the Brazilian Embraer EMB-145 aircraft.

Therefore, a more exact description is:

Netra is an Indian airborne warning and battle-control system fitted on a foreign-built aircraft.

This point does not reduce India’s success.

Nevertheless, it matters because India still depends on foreign support for some parts of the aircraft.

For example, India may need outside help for:

  • aircraft parts;
  • engine parts;
  • repair manuals;
  • major aircraft changes;
  • long-term service support; and
  • future airframe supply.

Therefore, India has gained strong control over the mission system but not full control over the complete aircraft.

ABC Live raised a similar concern in its report on the AN-32 crash and India’s military transport policy.

That report showed that local parts alone do not create full self-reliance. Instead, India must also control aircraft support, engines, repair work and key supplies.

Netra Capability Dashboard

Area ABC Live assessment
Mission system Major Indian success
Field use Officially confirmed
Final clearance Completed
Aircraft Foreign-built EMB-145
Upgrade control Better than a fully imported system
Fleet size Too small for steady multi-front cover
Supply security Still partly foreign-dependent
Future value High if India adds more aircraft

India Still Needs More Eyes in the Sky

Final clearance is important. However, fleet size remains the larger problem.

DRDO’s official Netra page says that mission systems were fitted on three EMB-145 aircraft.

However, three aircraft do not mean that three aircraft will always remain ready to fly.

For example, one aircraft may need repair. Meanwhile, another may be used for training.

In addition, aircraft need fuel, crew rest, software work and regular checks.

Therefore, the Indian Air Force cannot keep all aircraft in the sky at the same time.

Moreover, India faces several areas of concern:

  • the western border;
  • the northern and north-eastern borders;
  • the Indian Ocean;
  • major air bases;
  • drone and missile threats;
  • crew training; and
  • wartime reserve needs.

Consequently, India needs more aircraft than the bare number required for one-day operations.

It also needs enough aircraft to keep watch during a long crisis.

Therefore, fleet depth matters as much as radar range.

Paper Strength Is Not Real Strength

An aircraft may appear in the official fleet list. However, that does not mean it is always ready for a mission.

For example, an aircraft may be under repair, short of parts or waiting for a trained crew.

Therefore, India should measure mission-ready aircraft rather than only total aircraft.

In addition, the government should track:

  • flying hours;
  • repair time;
  • spare-part delays;
  • crew strength;
  • radar service rates; and
  • mission-ready rates.

As a result, Parliament and defence planners would gain a clearer picture of real strength.

Netra and Larger AWACS Aircraft Are Different

Netra offers major warning and control value. However, it is built on a smaller aircraft.

As a result, it has limits in fuel, crew space, power supply and radar size.

By contrast, a larger Airborne Warning and Control System can carry more fuel and more staff.

Moreover, it can often stay in the air longer.

In addition, a larger aircraft can carry more computers, radio links and electronic tools.

Therefore, smaller AEW&C aircraft and larger AWACS aircraft should not be treated as exact replacements for each other.

Instead, India needs both.

Smaller aircraft can support local or regional missions.

Meanwhile, larger aircraft can manage wider and longer air operations.

Therefore, a mixed fleet would give India better reach and more choice.

Why the Nine-Year Gap Needs an Answer

Netra received Initial Operational Clearance in 2017.

However, it received Final Operational Clearance only on 25 June 2026.

Therefore, the gap was about nine years.

The delay may have had valid reasons.

For example, the Indian Air Force may have asked for more changes.

Moreover, DRDO may have needed more flight tests, software work or radar checks.

In addition, new war threats may have forced changes to the system.

However, the official release does not explain the long period.

Defence agencies cannot reveal secret faults or test data.

Nevertheless, they can publish a broad and non-secret review.

For example, such a review could explain:

  • the main causes of delay;
  • the number of major test stages;
  • the lessons learned;
  • the steps taken to speed up future work; and
  • the parts that caused the most delay.

Therefore, limited public detail would improve trust without harming security.

ABC Live made a similar point in its analysis of India’s RudraM-II missile test.

That report noted that a successful test must lead to quick production and field use. Otherwise, technical success may not produce enough real military strength.

Lessons from Balakot and Operation Sindoor

The government’s reference to Balakot and Operation Sindoor is highly important.

First, it confirms that modern air warfare depends on good information.

Second, fighter aircraft cannot see every threat on their own.

Therefore, they need support from airborne warning aircraft, ground radars and command centres.

Moreover, Netra can help link these parts together.

For example, it can pass warning data to fighters and air-defence units.

As a result, commanders may get more time to act.

Even a few extra minutes can matter during an air attack.

However, enemy forces will also try to jam or attack airborne warning aircraft.

Therefore, Netra needs fighter cover, secure radio links and safe flight areas.

In addition, India must protect Netra with ground-based air defence.

ABC Live’s report on VSHORADS and India’s last-mile air defence explains why airborne warning must connect with short-range defence systems.

New Threats Netra Must Face

Drones and Drone Swarms

Small drones can be hard to detect.

Moreover, they may fly low and attack in groups.

Therefore, future Netra models must improve drone tracking.

However, Netra alone cannot stop a drone swarm.

Instead, it must share data with ground radar, cameras, jammers and short-range weapons.

As a result, India needs a full anti-drone network rather than one sensor.

Cruise Missiles

Cruise missiles can fly close to the ground.

Therefore, they may give defenders less time to act.

However, an airborne radar can improve the chance of early warning.

As a result, Netra should link with fighters and ground-based missile units.

Electronic Jamming

An enemy may try to jam radar or radio links.

Moreover, it may send false signals or fake targets.

Therefore, Netra must work even when the electronic space becomes noisy.

In addition, it needs secure software and protected communication links.

Low-Visibility Aircraft

Stealth aircraft are harder to detect.

However, no single radar can solve the full problem.

Instead, India should combine data from many sensors.

For example, it can link Netra with ground radar, passive sensors, fighter aircraft, ships and satellites.

As a result, the full network may detect a threat that one radar misses.

Fast Data Processing

Modern war creates huge amounts of data.

Therefore, officers need tools that can sort and rank threats quickly.

Artificial intelligence can help with this task.

For example, ABC Live’s report on YOLOv10 and military aircraft detection explains how computer systems can speed up target detection.

However, human officers must still make the final combat decisions.

What India Should Do Next

Speed Up New Netra Orders

India should turn future plans into signed orders and clear delivery dates.

Moreover, the government should ensure that aircraft are available for the programme.

Otherwise, radar development may finish while the required aircraft remain unavailable.

Therefore, contract timing and aircraft supply must move together.

Build a Mixed Fleet

India needs more than one type of warning aircraft.

For example, it needs smaller AEW&C aircraft for local cover.

Meanwhile, larger AWACS aircraft can support longer missions.

In addition, India needs tanker aircraft, satellites and unmanned systems.

Therefore, a mixed fleet would reduce the risk of relying on one aircraft type.

Secure Aircraft and Engine Support

India must protect the supply chain for the aircraft itself.

Therefore, future deals should cover aircraft parts, engines, repair tools and service records.

Moreover, India should seek more repair work inside the country.

As a result, the fleet would face fewer delays during a crisis.

Build Wartime Reserves

India should not buy only the number needed for normal days.

Instead, it should also plan for breakdowns, repairs and combat losses.

Therefore, spare aircraft and extra crews are essential.

Improve Joint-Service Links

Netra should share data with the Army and Navy.

Moreover, it should connect with ships, air-defence units and command centres.

Therefore, all three services need common and secure data rules.

As a result, Netra can become part of a national defence network rather than only an Air Force tool.

Protect Netra from Cyber and Electronic Attack

Netra acts as a key information centre.

Therefore, a cyber attack or jammed link could affect many units.

As a result, India must protect its software, data links and navigation systems.

Moreover, threat data must be updated quickly.

Create a Regular Upgrade Plan

India should not wait years for one large upgrade.

Instead, it should improve Netra in smaller steps.

For example, DRDO can update software, processors and threat data at set times.

As a result, the system can remain useful against new threats.

Track Availability, Not Just Purchases

Buying aircraft is only the first step.

However, high service rates are the true test.

Therefore, the government should track how many aircraft can fly at short notice.

ABC Live’s report on the Defence Acquisition Council’s ?3.60 lakh crore approvals explains why purchase approvals must lead to usable and lasting military power.

ABC Live Assessment

Netra’s Final Operational Clearance is a real national success.

It proves that India can design and use a complex airborne warning system.

Moreover, its field use shows that the programme has moved far beyond a test project.

However, three key concerns remain.

First, final clearance does not solve the fleet shortage.

Second, the aircraft platform still comes from abroad.

Third, the nine-year gap between Initial and Final Operational Clearance needs a broad public explanation.

Therefore, India should not judge Netra’s future only through the FOC ceremony.

Instead, it should judge the programme through:

  • the number of aircraft added;
  • the number ready to fly;
  • the speed of repairs;
  • the safety of data links;
  • the supply of spare parts; and
  • the ability to keep watch during a long crisis.

Netra has given India an Indian-built eye in the sky.

However, India must now ensure that this eye is always available, well protected and backed by enough aircraft.

How We Verified

ABC Live reviewed the Ministry of Defence announcement dated 25 June 2026.

In addition, we reviewed DRDO’s official Netra product page.

Moreover, we examined DRDO information on the Centre for Airborne Systems.

We also compared the official claims with public reports on the programme and India’s airborne warning needs.

However, many details remain secret.

For example, the government does not publish full radar ranges, service rates, software features or field plans.

Therefore, this report does not present unofficial technical figures as confirmed facts.

Sources and Resources

Official Sources

  1. Press Information Bureau: IAF Gets Final Operational Clearance of Indigenous Netra AEW&C System
  2. DRDO: Official Netra Product Profile
  3. DRDO Centre for Airborne Systems: Technologies and Capabilities
  4. DRDO: Products and Indigenous Defence Systems

Additional Reports

  1. New Indian Express: Netra Cleared for Full Combat Role
  2. The Week: What Netra FOC Means for India’s Defence and Surveillance Capability
  3. Business Standard: India’s Indigenous Netra Receives Final Operational Clearance
  4. Economic Times: IAF Gets Final Clearance for Indigenous Netra System

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