South America, Indonesia Eye India's Netra AEW&C

India's ambitious strides in indigenous defence development are attracting attention on the international stage.

Sources indicate growing interest from South American nations and Indonesia in the Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&Cs), marking a potential breakthrough for the country's defence export sector.

The Netra Advantage​

Developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Netra offers a potent aerial surveillance and command-and-control solution.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently fields three Netra AEW&C MkI aircraft, built on Embraer ERJ 145 platforms. These provide 240-degree coverage with their indigenously designed radar systems, significantly augmenting India's ability to monitor and manage its airspace.

Growing Capabilities​

Recognizing the Netra's tactical value, the IAF is expanding its fleet. Six additional Netra AEW&C MkIA – an enhanced variant of the MkI – are in the procurement pipeline.

Plus, India envisions acquiring six Netra Mk II AEW&Cs. These will utilize the Airbus A320 airframe, promising longer endurance and greater situational awareness.

Strategic Implications of Netra Exports​

The Netra's rising export appeal highlights India's emergence as a credible defence technology supplier. Successful exports would bring these vital early-warning capabilities to partner nations, reinforcing regional security.

Moreover, it would affirm India's progress in developing advanced, exportable military systems, opening doors to further collaborations and solidifying its position as a key player in the global defence market.

India's Evolving Defence Industry​

The interest in the Netra AEW&Cs reflects a wider shift within India's defence sector. The government's 'Make in India' initiative fuels self-reliance and a focus on exporting homegrown technologies.

The success of platforms like the Netra showcases the results of this drive, encouraging greater investment and a more prominent role for India in the global arms trade.

Conclusion​

India's Netra AEW&Cs appear poised to make their mark both domestically and internationally.

Continued investment in the program, coupled with successful exports, could signal a turning point for India's defence sector, generating strategic partnerships while positioning the nation as a major source for advanced military technology.

 

[Pink Panther]

No intention of supplying IAF first, after supplying IAF DRDO can send a marketing team to South America.

 

[Hari Sud]

Really, three of them in operation? Is that the truth? Somebody more knowledgeable, please verify.

 

[Amit Ray]

Really, three of them in operation? Is that the truth? Somebody more knowledgeable, please verify.

2017, 2019 and 2023 ,three Netras were inducted. The news appeared in this platform on 12 Jan 2024.

 

[Anant]

No intention of supplying IAF first, after supplying IAF DRDO can send a marketing team to South America.

Deliveries have mostly been on schedule. Of course, you can't expect to have the aircraft ready immediately after you place an order, right?

 

[Sudha]

"According to reports". 🤔

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Lets not discount this right away. DRDO's offer might be competitive enough for other nations to be taking notice. Hopefully more news abd a few confirmed orders would be coming down the line.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Start of another fake exports story. Let the idiots first focus on deliveries needed for IAF!

 

[Anant]

Start of another fake exports story. Let the idiots first focus on deliveries needed for IAF!

There are no delayed deliveries of the Netra to the IAF. Deliveries for the Netra Mk 1 were not delayed except for the third aircraft (due to Covid and the IAF originally keeping the aircraft with DRDO only). Deliveries for the Netra Mk 1A and the Netra Mk 2 are on schedule or in the works.

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Start of another fake exports story. Let the idiots first focus on deliveries needed for IAF!

Many countries were already interested in netra mk-1 before GOI banned the Embraer Due to bribe in 2019

 

[kumar]

Export version of Netra should be made and offered. Should not offer what we are using as EW is the tip of the spear.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Lets not discount this right away. DRDO's offer might be competitive enough for other nations to be taking notice. Hopefully more news abd a few confirmed orders would be coming down the line.

Most important is targeted marketing, financing deal and bribery. In countries outside north america and europe, using middlemen and giving bribes to the defence officials is the norm. India also used to do this. In UPA so many cases were there like augusta westland scam and so many companies european companies got blacklisted. Maybe India needs to do the same to secure contracts in countries in africa, asia and south america. Corruption is high most of these countries

Also, since these countries are always short on money, giving selling them stuff on long term low rate interest loans is a good option. India has offered tejas to phillipines on such a deal. I dont think sweden will do the same for gripen.

 

[Anant]

India has offered tejas to phillipines on such a deal. I dont think sweden will do the same for gripen.

The Tejas is not going to win in the Philippines anyways. It's pretty much a two-way race between the Gripen and the F-16.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

The Tejas is not going to win in the Philippines anyways. It's pretty much a two-way race between the Gripen and the F-16.

You may be true, but if india throws an outrageously low offer based on soft loans from India, phillipines can be tempted. We just need 1 happy customer for tejas. After that floodgates will open, IMO

 

[Sudha]

You may be true, but if india throws an outrageously low offer based on soft loans from India, phillipines can be tempted. We just need 1 happy customer for tejas. After that floodgates will open, IMO

Bharat will succeed with Tejas mk2. But is HAL & MOD listening? Present is a news from some "report".

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Exactly sell these stuffs to countries where there is no chance of military collaboration with china and Pakistan. We need money for rnd , india needs to earn money to invest heavily in rnd for next few decades. Next aim should be our aviation sector. We need our own military transport aircraft from in small, medium, large sections and also civilian sections. We need our own Boeing/Embraer, so that we dont heavilly depend upon them for these.

 

[Sandeep]

AWACS are mostly developed for use outside a country for war but most countries have no intention of starting or joining a war so few countries buy any AWACS as they have already developed radar stations within their country to detect any air breaches or incoming threats. So there's a low number of countries that buy it and they are expensive.

India needs to quickly operationalise at least 12+ AWACS on the Airbus planes which will be large enough to expand its air and ground cover against China mainly and they can be backed up with another 12+ AWACS using a significantly upgraded Embraer planes. That should help to protect our skies and use the other critical features to wreak havoc on their systems like EW, ESM, SIGINT, COMINT, SATCOM which are critical.

To sell these AWACS India has to demonstrate that it can buy the embraer plane and modify it within a simple, effortless and cost effective contract to the buyer. It will need agreements with Embraer on whether they or India will provide any parts, components and services needed or will India's role will only be providing that service for only Indian developed equipment like radars, COMINT, SIGINT, EW, IR etc. This is one of the reason why there is always a significant cost escalation in buying a foreign plane and getting it modified as it requires the purchaser of the AWACS to deal with the headache whenever a problem occurs or if any changes are needed by dealing with two entities.

 

[Mridul baruah]

Bharat will succeed with Tejas mk2. But is HAL & MOD listening? Present is a news from some "report".

O bhai...pehle bana lo, khud use kar lo uske baad padosiyo ko dene ka socho.

 

[Mridul baruah]

Koi nehi kharidega. Pehle IAF ko bech ke dikhao.

 

[GMR]

Our Netra has definitely export potential for those seeking value for money. Only wish that our agencies do their marketing well. Otherwise it will be like Tejas export updates