This milestone marks a significant achievement for the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the IAF, and associated industries, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in advanced aerospace and defence technologies. The system, which enhances airborne surveillance, situational awareness, and battle management capability, had earlier been accorded Initial Operational Clearance in 2017.
The ceremony took place in Bangalore, Karnataka, on 25 June 2026, and was presided over by the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti.
The event was attended by former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd), former DRDO Chairman Dr S Christopher, serving and retired senior officers of the IAF, Outstanding Scientist and Director of the Centre for Airborne Systems P Santhya, Outstanding Scientist and Chief Executive (Airworthiness) APVS Prasad, Scientist ‘G’ and Head of NETRA FOC AS Kumaran, as well as other senior DRDO officials and industry partners.
In his address, Air Marshal Bharti praised the operational reliability of the NETRA system, recalling its effective utilisation during Operation Sindoor and the Balakot strikes. He emphasised the importance of indigenous technologies, noting that they provide the flexibility to adapt systems to evolving war scenarios through modifications. He highlighted the synergy between DRDO, the IAF, and industry as the defining factor behind the programme’s success.
Distinguished Scientist and Director General of the Aeronautics Cluster of DRDO, Dr K Rajalakshmi Menon, recounted the journey of NETRA’s development. She outlined the challenges faced and the critical decisions taken that enabled the program to meet its objectives. She stressed the importance of system engineering, which proved vital in planning and executing flight tests that led to the delivery of an operationally capable system to the IAF.
Distinguished Scientist and Director General of the Electronics Cluster of DRDO, Dr BK Das, also addressed the gathering. He underscored the role of synergy among stakeholders, describing it as the cornerstone of the programme’s success. He characterised the NETRA AEW&C as a defining testimony to India’s pursuit of self-reliance and its vision of achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Special appreciation and felicitations were extended to organisations and units that played pivotal roles in the successful realisation and operationalisation of the NETRA AEW&C system. The contributions of all stakeholders were acknowledged as instrumental in transforming the system from concept to operational reality.
The induction of the Netra AEW&C system into operational service represents a major milestone in indigenous capability development. It reflects DRDO’s commitment to innovation, indigenisation, and the enhancement of defence services.
The program stands as a shining example of synergy between operational users, scientific agencies, and defence production establishments, and it strengthens India’s position in the domain of airborne surveillance and battle management.
PIB
