Indian Air Force receives final operational clearance for indigenous airborne early warning and control system Netra

BENGALURU, June 25, 2026 – The Defence Research and Development Organisation achieved a significant milestone with the handing over of the Final Operational Clearance certificate of the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control system to the Indian Air Force.

The system has been indigenously developed through close collaboration among the air force, the research organisation, and associated industries to significantly enhance airborne surveillance, situational awareness, and battle management capability. This represents a landmark achievement in India’s journey towards self-reliance in advanced aerospace and defence technologies, following the initial operational clearance given in 2017.

The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti in Bengaluru. Former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, former DRDO Chairman Dr S Christopher, serving and retired senior officers, Outstanding Scientist and Director Centre for Air Borne System P Santhya, Outstanding Scientist and Chief Executive APVS Prasad, Scientist and Head Netra FOC AS Kumaran, and other senior officials and industry partners attended the event.

In his address, the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff appreciated the clearance and spoke about the operational utilisation and reliability of the system during Operation Sindoor and the Balakot strikes, while reiterating the importance of indigenous technologies that offer flexibility to adapt to evolving war scenarios.

Distinguished Scientist and Director General of Aeronautics Cluster K Rajalakshmi Menon narrated the successful journey of Netra, outlining the challenges faced and decisions taken that enabled the delivery of the operationally capable system. She emphasised the importance of system engineering in the planning and execution of flight tests.

Furthermore, Distinguished Scientist and Director General of Electronics Cluster BK Das stated that the synergy among stakeholders has been the cornerstone of success for the programme, calling Netra a defining testimony to self-reliance.

Special appreciation and felicitations were also extended to the organisations and units that played a pivotal role in the successful realisation and operationalisation of the system.