AEW&C System: The Netra is an airborne surveillance system that is being developed in India, which can monitor aerial activities from anywhere with real-time information. The technology, designed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), works as an ‘eye in the sky’ for the Indian Air Force, watching for and monitoring the launching, tracking and identification of hostile aircraft, drones, helicopters, cruise missiles and more – before they enter Indian airspace.
While the Netra AEW&C System can operate at high altitudes, the high flight time enables it to see low-flying targets that could not otherwise be spotted by conventional ground-based radars due to the restriction of terrain or the curvature of the earth. It is also used as an airborne command and control centre, allowing commanders to control fighter aircraft, air defence forces and surveillance equipment in times of war and peace. Final Operational Clearance (FOC) is a milestone reached after successfully passing through all the operational trials, marking the readiness of the platform for deployment with the Indian Air Force.
Why is the Netra AEW&C System Important?
The Netra AEW&C System is a key component in bolstering India’s national security, ensuring real-time, round-the-clock airborne surveillance and early warning. It improves the Indian Air Force’s longer-range detection prowess for threats, resulting in quicker decision-making and mission planning.
The system enhances the air defence network of India with a multi-sensor, multi-target, tracked, multi-role airborne system that offers airborne surveillance, target detection, tracking, communication, and command. Moreover, it decreases foreign reliance on defence technologies and promotes the government’s goal of becoming Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The modern war is mostly conducted in a network-centric model of operations, and in this context, coordination among the fighter aircraft, missile defence systems, and ground control stations is important. Netra helps in this. This also enhances India’s capabilities in facing the changing aerial threats such as stealth aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.
Key Facts of India’s Netra AEW&C System Achieve Final Operational Status
- Tribal invention – Netra AEW&C system successfully receives Indian Air Force – Final Operational Clearance (FOC).
- It has been designed by the DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) and the Indian defence industries.
- Netra boosts India’s capacity in the area of aerial surveillance, early warning, aerial target tracing and command and control.
- Installed on the Embraer ERJ-145 series aircraft, the system offers a 240° radar coverage and gives instant situational awareness.
- The platform definitely augments the Indian integrated air defence network significantly.
- Netra can ensure surveillance on various types of hostile aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and aerial threats.
- The successful deployment in the operational field was a great achievement for the defence sector in India in the field of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on Defence Technology & Radar
| Year | Exam | Question | Options | Answer |
| 2023 | SSC CGL | Which of the following organisations develops indigenous defence technologies in India? | A. ISROB. DRDOC. BELD. HAL | B. DRDO |
| 2022 | SSC CHSL | The headquarters of DRDO is located in: | A. BengaluruB. HyderabadC. New DelhiD. Pune | C. New Delhi |
| 2022 | RRB NTPC | Radar is primarily used for: | A. Weather forecasting onlyB. Detecting and tracking objectsC. Wireless chargingD. Satellite launching | B. Detecting and tracking objects |
| 2021 | SSC GD | Which of the following is the air warfare branch of the Indian Armed Forces? | A. Indian ArmyB. Indian NavyC. Indian Air ForceD. Indian Coast Guard | C. Indian Air Force |
| 2021 | RRB Group D | HAL is primarily associated with the manufacturing of: | A. Missiles onlyB. Aircraft and helicoptersC. WarshipsD. Tanks | B. Aircraft and helicopters |
| 2020 | SSC CPO | DRDO functions under which Ministry? | A. Ministry of Home AffairsB. Ministry of DefenceC. Ministry of Science & TechnologyD. Ministry of Civil Aviation | B. Ministry of Defence |
| 2019 | RRB JE | Which Indian organisation is responsible for defence research and development? | A. ISROB. DRDOC. BARCD. CSIR | B. DRDO |
| 2018 | SSC CGL | Which of the following technologies is used for the detection and tracking of aircraft? | A. SonarB. RadarC. LiDARD. GPS | B. Radar |
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Conclusion on IAF Gets Final Operational Clearance for Indigenous Netra
The introduction of the Netra AEW&C System in India is a big step towards enhancing the capabilities of surveillance and command of the Indian Air Force at altitude. The system has been developed indigenously by DRDO, which improves the capability of detecting threats, tracking targets, monitoring airspace and also network-centric warfare. The decision to achieve its Full Operational Capability (FOC) marks India’s increasing autonomy in the field of high-tech defence technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme. As future variants with enhanced radar coverage and capabilities are developed, India’s Netra AEW&C System will continue to play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s airspace and improving the nation’s overall defence preparedness.
