₹20,000 Crores Netra MK-II AEW&C Program On Airbus A321 Platform: What You Must Know Wednesday, September 03, 2025 by Indian Defence News
The government has officially approved the Netra MK-II Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) program, a crucial step in the modernisation and reinforcement of the nation's aerial surveillance capabilities.
This program represents one of the most ambitious indigenous airborne surveillance initiatives undertaken by India to date, focusing on converting six Airbus A321 passenger aircraft into sophisticated AEW&C platforms.
The project, sanctioned by both the Government Security Council and the Acquisition Council in July 2025, carries an estimated investment of nearly ₹20,000 Crores (approximately US$227 million).
The scale and scope of this development illustrate India's intent to achieve greater strategic self-reliance in airborne warning systems while also bridging gaps in its existing radar and surveillance infrastructure.
The Netra MK-II program builds upon the foundations laid by the Netra MK-I and MK-IA systems, which were developed around the smaller Embraer EMB-145 jet platform.
While the EMB-145 proved valuable as a technology demonstrator and interim solution, its operational limitations in endurance, payload capacity, and cabin space created a need for a more capable, larger platform.
The upgraded MK-II program thus moves to the Airbus A321, a narrow-body airliner with far greater range, endurance, and space for mission equipment and operator consoles. This transition directly addresses earlier capability gaps while preparing the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a more robust AEW&C fleet over the coming decade.
Under the planned conversion, the A321 aircraft -- most likely acquired from commercial fleets -- will first undergo structural reinforcement at Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Spain, marking a significant collaboration between Indian and European aerospace industries.
Modifications will include the removal of all passenger seating, strengthening of the fuselage for radar integration, and installation of advanced auxiliary power units (APUs) to support the significant additional power demands from sensors, communication gear, and operator workstations.
Internal reconfiguration is expected to yield a more spacious and ergonomically optimised cabin environment, capable of sustaining longer-duration missions with adequate provisions for crew rest and operator efficiency.
A major highlight of the Netra MK-II design is the integration of a new-generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, an evolution from the radar technology deployed on the EMB-145-based systems.
This radar is projected to provide 300 degrees of coverage, a marked improvement over the Netra MK-I, although the long-term objective remains full 360-degree surveillance capability -- a standard met by larger AEW&C aircraft such as those based on the Boeing 707 or 737 platform.
Complementing the radar will be a comprehensive suite of electronic warfare (EW) systems, advanced Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) modules, secure data links, and state-of-the-art communication equipment.
Together, these will enable real-time tracking and data dissemination concerning both aerial and maritime threats, thus strengthening India's multi-domain situational awareness.
Operational autonomy is where the A321 has a distinct advantage. Compared to the EMB-145's limited loitering endurance, the Airbus A321 -- with its larger fuel capacity and optimised mission payload design -- will dramatically increase on-station time during surveillance patrols.
The additional payload margin also allows for the accommodation of more mission consoles and sensor systems, thus increasing the scalability of operations.
Furthermore, the aircraft's larger cabin supports the integration of advanced mission and control centres within the airframe itself, allowing simultaneous multi-threat analysis by a larger number of operators.
The program timeline reflects the complexity of such an ambitious endeavour. Development work, structural modifications, and system integration are expected to progress through the late 2020s, with prototype and developmental flight trials targeted around 2029.
The first fully operational Netra MK-II aircraft are expected to be inducted into the IAF fleet between 2033 and 2034. This extended schedule underscores the intensive testing, mission certification, and integration challenges involved in fielding a system of this magnitude, but also highlights the high expectations surrounding the leap in capability that these platforms are anticipated to bring.
Strategically, the Netra MK-II program is a critical enabler for India's long-standing goal of establishing a robust, tiered aerial surveillance ecosystem.
Alongside the existing Phalcon AWACS fleet based on the Ilyushin Il-76 platform, as well as the EMB-145-based Netra MK-I systems, the A321-based MK-II platform will significantly expand India's ability to monitor both western and eastern airspaces, while also providing extended coverage over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) -- a growing area of geopolitical importance given China's increasing naval deployments in the region.
The integration of secure data-sharing mechanisms will further enable synergy with other branches of the military, linking AEW&C platforms with fighter aircraft, warships, ground-based radars, and command centres, thus reinforcing the vision of network-centric warfare capability.
In conclusion, the Netra MK-II AEW&C program signifies a transformative step in India's pursuit of indigenous strategic assets.
Beyond mere surveillance, it symbolises a gradual transition to technologies that reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, while simultaneously enhancing deterrence against evolving threats in a volatile regional security environment.
With its deployment projected in the early 2030s, the Netra MK-II is poised not only to secure Indian airspace more effectively but also to anchor India's role as a regional power with state-of-the-art airborne surveillance capabilities. Comments