DRDO Hands Over Final Operational Clearance of Indigenous Netra AEW&C System to IAF
Bengaluru, June 25 (TNT): Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday achieved a major milestone with the handover of the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certificate of the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Netra AEW&C system, developed through close collaboration between the IAF, DRDO and industry partners, is designed to significantly enhance India’s airborne surveillance, situational awareness and battle management capabilities.
The Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the system was granted in 2017.
The FOC certificate was formally handed over at a ceremony presided over by Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti in Bengaluru.
Addressing the gathering, Air Marshal Bharti highlighted the operational utility and reliability demonstrated by the Netra system during Operation Sindoor and the Balakot strikes.
He emphasised that indigenous technologies provide the armed forces greater flexibility to modify and adapt systems to evolving operational requirements.
He also lauded the close synergy among DRDO, the IAF and industry partners, which contributed to the successful completion of the programme.
DRDO Director General (Aeronautics Cluster) Dr. K. Rajalakshmi Menon traced the development journey of the Netra programme and highlighted the technological challenges overcome during its execution.
She underscored the role of system engineering and extensive flight-testing in achieving the programme’s objectives.
Director General (Electronics Cluster) Dr. B.K. Das described the Netra AEW&C programme as a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in defence technologies and a significant contribution towards the vision of Viksit Bharat.
During the event, organisations and units that played a key role in the development and operationalisation of the system were felicitated for their contributions.
DRDO said the induction of the Netra AEW&C system into operational service reflects the country’s growing indigenous capability in advanced aerospace and defence technologies and demonstrates successful collaboration between users, scientists and industry.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the IAF and industry partners on achieving the FOC milestone, stating that it marks not only a technological achievement but also a strategic advancement in strengthening India’s airborne surveillance and command-and-control capabilities.
Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the Netra AEW&C team and DRDO’s Aeronautics Cluster for the accomplishment.
Former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria (Retd), former DRDO Chairman Dr. S. Christopher, senior serving and retired IAF officers, Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) Director P. Santhya, Chief Executive (Airworthiness) A.P.V.S. Prasad, Netra FOC Programme Head A.S. Kumaran, senior DRDO scientists and industry representatives attended the event.
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