With the aim to enhance its surveillance capabilities along the border regions with China and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force is preparing to acquire six additional indigenous Netra-I surveillance aircraft. These aircraft are part of the Netra-I Airborne Early Warning and Control program, which finds its foundation in the Brazilian Embraer aircraft.

This move signifies a notable achievement in bolstering India's border security and surveillance infrastructure. The acquisition of these aircraft underscores the country's commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities and maintaining a vigilant stance along its sensitive border regions.

The Indian Air Force currently operates two Netra-I aircraft, which were created through the efforts of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In a notable resurgence of the program, the Air Force is slated to acquire an additional six aircraft. This initiative signifies the revival and expansion of the Netra-I program, further enhancing the country's surveillance and defense capabilities.

"As per the plans, the six new aircraft would be made in India by the DRDO and would be provided to the Air Force in a project of over Rs 8,000 crore,” government officials told India Today TV.

"Two of the Netra AEW&C surveillance aircraft also known as the 'eyes in the sky' are already in the Air Force after being developed by the DRDO. There is now a plan to build six more of these aircraft for which groundwork has already started," Indian Air Force officials told ANI.

"The DRDO and our officials have already started looking for sources to acquire the Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft to modify them for carrying the radar on it after modification," officials added.

The Indian Air Force has demonstrated the effective utilization of these aircraft in monitoring activities along both the China and Pakistan borders. Officials from the Indian Air Force have attested to their commendable performance, highlighting their role as an airborne surveillance platform that can maintain constant and comprehensive vigilance over the entire battlefield.

To address its surveillance requirements, the Indian Air Force currently relies on a combination of three Israeli AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) and two Netra surveillance planes.

As part of the broader initiative, the Netra-2 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) project will be undertaken, involving the modification of six A-321 aircraft to transform them into dedicated surveillance aircraft. This strategic move is expected to result in the addition of approximately 13 more AEW&C planes to India's fleet over the next five to ten years, further augmenting the nation's aerial surveillance capabilities.

Image source: ANI