India Builds Its Own Eye in the Sky With Netra MKII AWACS.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon welcome a new addition to its eye-in-the-sky fleet with the approval of the 20,000 Indian crore ($2.4 billion) Netra MKII project. The coveted Netra MKII project equips IAF with six AWACS featuring indigenous 360-degree radars for enhanced threat detection and command.

Under the initiative, six airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) will be developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with aerospace giant Airbus.

They will be capable of responding to aerial threats beyond Indian airspace, while also serving as the IAF’s command centre in the air.

Installed on Airbus’ current A321 platforms, the systems will include locally-developed radars with 360-degree coverage and mission control systems. Netra MKII forms part of DRDO’s “next-generation” multirole aircraft program and is expected to be completed within three years.

The IAF’s Netra MKII project comes as the country grapples with rising regional tensions. In May, the Indian government confirmed the loss of several fighter jets during a clash with Pakistan. While details remain scarce, reports from both sides claimed that up to 125 aircraft were downed, marking the largest aerial battle since World War II.

The incident underscored the need for better early warning, threat detection, and airborne command capabilities, precisely the role AWACS like the Netra MKII are designed to fill. With its enhanced radar and threat detection systems, the new MKII aims to expand on the capabilities of existing airborne systems such as the Phalcon and the smaller Netra planes.

The program could elevate India into the small circle of nations with homegrown AWACS capabilities, and marks the first time an Airbus platform will take on a role long dominated by Boeing.

Team Maverick