https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Major Defence Boost: India Clears 20,000 Cr Indigenous AWACS Project, DRDO to Lead Netra MK-2 Development

India has greenlit a ₹20,000 crore DRDO-led project to build six indigenous AWACS aircraft using modified Airbus A321 platforms, marking a leap in defence self-reliance.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi – In a major boost to India’s defence and surveillance capabilities, the central government has approved a ₹20,000 crore project for the development of indigenous Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS). The initiative is led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and marks a significant step in enhancing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) real-time monitoring and strategic command capabilities.

The program, named AWACS India or Netra MK-2, is being developed in collaboration with Airbus and a consortium of Indian companies. The project aims to deliver six state-of-the-art AWACS platforms based on pre-owned Airbus A321 aircraft acquired from Air India.

A New Phase in India’s Surveillance Capabilities

These Airbus A321 aircraft will undergo extensive structural modifications to accommodate a range of sophisticated surveillance systems. Most notably, a dorsal radar dome will be installed atop the fuselage to enable 360-degree situational awareness. The integration will also feature cutting-edge AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and a fully indigenous mission control suite.

Adani Defence & Aerospace is spearheading the industrial partnership aspect of the mission system development, while other Indian enterprises will contribute to the manufacturing and technological integration process.

Also Read: DRDO Fast-Tracks Astra Mk-3 ‘Gandiva’ Missile Development with Next-Gen Propulsion and GaN-Based AESA Seeker

Key Features of Netra MK-2:

  • Complete 360-degree radar coverage via a main dorsal antenna and supplementary nose-mounted sensor arrays
  • Capability to track enemy aircraft, ground sensors, and electronic systems at long distances
  • Advanced ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) and COMINT (Communication Intelligence) functionalities
  • Extended operational endurance and higher altitude surveillance
  • Multi-mission operator stations designed for seamless real-time command and control

Operational Timeline and Strategic Impact

The first operational AWACS aircraft under this program is expected to be ready in approximately three years, with induction into the IAF projected around 2026–27. This will significantly expand India’s existing airborne surveillance fleet, which currently relies on a limited number of indigenous Netra systems and imported IL-76 ‘Phalcon’ platforms. The latter have faced persistent availability and maintenance challenges in recent years.

The shift to Airbus platforms marks a strategic departure from India’s traditional reliance on Boeing aircraft for such missions. The larger A321 airframe will offer improved radar reach, better data fusion capabilities, and greater mission flexibility compared to its predecessors.

Driving Atmanirbhar Bharat in Aerospace

This will be the first time an Airbus aircraft is being repurposed for complex military surveillance missions in India. The successful development and integration of Netra MK-2 are expected to not only bolster national security but also position Indian firms at the forefront of high-end aerospace system development. This, in turn, could pave the way for future defence exports.

The AWACS India project underlines the government’s commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by combining domestic innovation, industrial capability, and strategic autonomy in defence manufacturing.

Also Read: India’s Hypersonic Leap: DRDO Tests Indigenous ET-LDHCM Under Project Vishnu


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IPS Officer Indian Police Services
Kerala & Punjab: IPS Anand R Appointed Pathanamthitta Police Chief; Jagadale Takes Over as DIG Counter Intelligence
UPSC IAS IPS IFS
From Hong and Mirem to National Service: 2 Arunachal Aspirants Join IFS, IRS - Details Inside
Assam-forest
Assam IFS Officer MK Yadava Faces Fresh Allegations Over Unauthorized Construction in Reserve Forests
Rahul Bhanudas Mali IAS
IAS Officer Rahul Bhanudas Mali Appointed Deputy Secretary in Women & Child Devt Ministry - Details Inside
jharkhand-high-court-
ED Tightens Grip in Army Land Scam; IAS Chhavi Ranjan's Bail Denied by High Court
BHajan Lal Sharma
Rajasthan: CM Cracks Down on 37 Govt Officers, 9 Police Inspectors Compulsorily Retired, IAS Officer Booked - Details Inside
Women in indian army
Delhi High Court Questions Centre on Exclusion of Women from Permanent Army Roles via CDS - All Details Inside
Vishnu Deo Sai
CM Vishnu Deo Sai Orders Fast-Track Completion of Irrigation Projects to Empower Chhattisgarh Farmers
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Aditya Singh
How IAS Officer Aditya Singh is Redefining Governance in Madhya Pradesh | Video Interview 
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IPS Officer Indian Police Services
Kerala & Punjab: IPS Anand R Appointed Pathanamthitta Police Chief; Jagadale Takes Over as DIG Counter Intelligence
UPSC IAS IPS IFS
From Hong and Mirem to National Service: 2 Arunachal Aspirants Join IFS, IRS - Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Aditya Singh
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT