DD Defence Correspondent
New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone with the handover of the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The system has been developed indigenously through close collaboration among the IAF, DRDO, and industry partners. It is designed to significantly enhance airborne surveillance, situational awareness, and battle management capabilities. The achievement marks an important step in India’s journey towards self-reliance in advanced aerospace and defence technologies. The Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) was granted in 2017.
The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on 25 June 2026. Former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd), former DRDO Chairman Dr S. Christopher, serving and retired senior IAF officers, Outstanding Scientist and Director of the Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) P. Santhya, Outstanding Scientist and Chief Executive (Airworthiness) APVS Prasad, Scientist ‘G’ and Head, Netra FOC, A.S. Kumaran, other senior DRDO officials, and industry partners attended the event.
In his address, the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff appreciated the achievement of FOC for the indigenous Netra AEW&C system. He highlighted its operational utilisation and reliability during Operation Sindoor and the Balakot strikes. He reiterated the importance of indigenous technologies, which provide the Armed Forces with the flexibility to adapt systems to evolving warfare requirements through continuous modifications. He also lauded the synergy among DRDO, the IAF, and industry partners, which has been central to the programme’s success.
Distinguished Scientist and Director General of DRDO’s Aeronautics Cluster, Dr K. Rajalakshmi Menon, recounted the successful journey of Netra. She highlighted the challenges encountered and the key decisions that enabled the programme to achieve its objectives and deliver an operationally capable system to the IAF. She also emphasised the importance of systems engineering in the planning and execution of flight tests.
Distinguished Scientist and Director General of DRDO’s Electronics Cluster, Dr B.K. Das, stated that collaboration among all stakeholders has been the cornerstone of the programme’s success. He described the Netra AEW&C system as a defining example of self-reliance and a significant contribution towards the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Recognition of Key Contributors
As part of the event, special appreciation and felicitations were extended to organisations and units that played a pivotal role in the successful development 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.
Milestone in Indigenous Capability Development
The successful induction of the Netra AEW&C system into operational service reflects DRDO’s commitment to indigenisation, innovation, and the enhancement of defence capabilities. The programme stands as a shining example of effective collaboration between operational users, scientific institutions, and defence production establishments.