Tech Desk: India’s aerial surveillance capabilities are set for a monumental leap with the upcoming NETRA MK-2, integrating over 100 radars, sensors, and electronic warfare systems into each aircraft. This next-generation airborne early warning platform is the result of a significant partnership between the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Adani Defence Systems, and Airbus, promising to redefine India’s strategic defence posture.

The ambitious project involves converting six Airbus A321 aircraft, acquired from Air India, into ‘green aircraft’ by AI Engineering Services Limited. These stripped-down airliners will then head to Airbus facilities in Spain for extensive structural and aerodynamic modifications, transforming them into robust foundations for military systems. This crucial step ensures the platform can handle the weight, power, and cooling demands of its sophisticated indigenous mission suite.

Once modified, the NETRA MK-2 will boast 360-degree surveillance, capable of detecting and tracking a wide array of aerial and maritime threats hundreds of kilometres away. It will also function as an airborne command-and-control centre, significantly enhancing network-centric operations. This expansion is critical, especially given operational lessons from the 2019 Balakot strikes, which highlighted gaps in India’s continuous airborne surveillance compared to adversaries.

The phased integration will see Airbus assist with the first three aircraft, gradually transferring technology and expertise to Adani Defence for subsequent platforms. This approach not only ensures a rapid deployment of cutting-edge technology but also fosters domestic capabilities in advanced airborne surveillance, marking a new era for India’s ‘eyes in the sky’.