Bengaluru: Indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System was on Thursday accorded Final Operational Clearance, marking a major milestone by paving the way for its operational exploitation by the IAF.
According to the DRDO, the AEW&C System consists of sensors mounted on an aircraft, for locating and providing early warning of airborne and sea surface targets and hostile emissions. It also provides comprehensive information to the controllers on-board of the aircraft as well as to the ground stations
The system is equipped with a comprehensive suite – radar, electronic warfare systems, secure communication and self-protection.
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, formally declared the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of the Netra AEW&C system in a ceremony held at the Centre for Airborne Systems here.
At the event here, the indigenous Netra (AEW&C) System and the FOC certificate were also unveiled.
Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Bharti said, “It is indeed a proud moment to declare the AEW&C’s Final Operational Clearance.”
“This is not merely the culmination of an indigenous technology programme, but a celebration of the unique partnership between the Indian Air Force and the scientific community in fulfilling India’s quest for Atmanirbharta (self-sufficiency).”
Noting that the journey of the AEW&C has been extraordinary, he also said that it came with challenges, as is the norm for any new system.
“We had to do a lot of innovation, it had to see a lot of perseverance, and above all, collaboration. From every individual, every entity that was involved,” he said.
Bharti said that right from the very inception of the programme, the IAF was not just a customer waiting for delivery of the product, but it was an active partner in design, development, integration, testing, and operationalisation.
“DRDO, CABS (Centre for Airborne Systems) in particular, and I have worked hand in hand in defining the operational requirements, participating in developmental and user trials, conducting continuous evaluation and providing timely and constructive feedback,” he said.
According to him, every mission flown, every operational exercise undertaken, and every lesson learned was shared and analysed tightly and then translated into improvements, making the system progressively more capable and operationally important.
