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DRDO's indigenous Netra AEW&C system gets Final Operational Clearance

5 min readSource: PIBArticle 4 of 7

India's indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system was accorded Final Operational Clearance (FOC) at a ceremony in Bengaluru on June 25, 2026, presided over by Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti. The system — developed by the DRDO's Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) in collaboration with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and industry — is India's 'eye in the sky', acting as a force multiplier by detecting aerial threats and managing the air battle. It was a pivotal asset during the 2019 Balakot strikes and Operation Sindoor in 2025. The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in October 2004 and had received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2017; the FOC marks its full induction.

Key Facts & Details

9 points
  • 1
    The indigenous Netra AEW&C system received Final Operational Clearance (FOC) on June 25, 2026.
  • 2
    The ceremony in Bengaluru was presided over by Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti.
  • 3
    Netra was developed by the DRDO's Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) with the IAF and industry partners.
  • 4
    It served as a force multiplier in the 2019 Balakot strikes and in Operation Sindoor.
  • 5
    The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2004; Initial Operational Clearance came in 2017.
  • 6
    Netra uses the Embraer EMB-145 airframe fitted with an AESA radar in a dorsal fin.

Deep Dive

  • +
    An AEW&C system provides early detection of enemy aircraft, missiles and drones far beyond ground-radar range, and coordinates friendly aircraft.
  • +
    FOC certifies that the system is fully mission-ready, following years of development and the earlier Initial Operational Clearance.
  • +
    Netra strengthens India's push for self-reliance ('Atmanirbharta') in advanced aerospace and defence technology.
Q

Exam Focus

Which indigenous airborne early-warning system received Final Operational Clearance in June 2026, and which agency developed it?

Related Topics

Netra AEW&CDRDOIndian Air ForceIndigenous defence

Exam Relevance & Angle

Indigenous defence systems and DRDO milestones are high-frequency GA topics. The system name (Netra AEW&C), the developer (DRDO/CABS), Final Operational Clearance, and the platform (Embraer EMB-145) are precise exam hooks.

Target Exams

SBI POIBPS POIBPS RRB OfficerRBI Grade BSSC CGLSSC CHSLSSC GDSSC CPORRB NTPCUPSC CSE

Background & Context

An Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system is an aircraft fitted with powerful radar and command-and-control equipment that detects aerial threats at long range and directs friendly fighters — a key 'force multiplier'. Netra is India's indigenous AEW&C, developed by the Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), using a Brazilian Embraer EMB-145 jet fitted with an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) allows limited induction, while Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certifies the platform as fully combat-ready. The programme was sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2004.

Related GK Concepts

Must Know
AEW&CDRDOCentre for Air Borne SystemsAESA radarFinal Operational ClearanceAtmanirbhar Bharat

Test Yourself

1 / 2

The Netra AEW&C system that received Final Operational Clearance in June 2026 was developed by which organisation?

Source

PIB

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DRDO's indigenous Netra AEW&C system gets Final Operational Clearance — Current Affairs 2026-06-25