Embraer is set to supply six refurbished ERJ-145 regional jets for India’s Netra Mk-1A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) programme, giving the Indian Air Force (IAF) additional platforms for long-range aerial surveillance and command-and-control missions.
The ERJ-145 aircraft will be refurbished and subsequently modified to accommodate India’s indigenous mission systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The programme is being led by DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), which is responsible for the development and integration of the AEW&C equipment.
The Netra Mk-1A is an upgraded evolution of India’s existing Netra system. The aircraft are expected to receive improved radar, electronic warfare and communication capabilities, allowing the IAF to build a more comprehensive picture of the aerial battlespace and coordinate operations with other air and ground assets.
A key feature of the upgraded system is its advanced radar technology. The Mk-1A is planned to use Gallium Nitride-based transmitter and receiver modules, which can provide improved power handling and thermal efficiency compared with earlier technology. The system is intended to offer greater detection capability than the baseline Netra configuration.
India currently operates three Embraer-based Netra aircraft. Adding six more refurbished ERJ-145 platforms would raise the number of Embraer-based AEW&C aircraft to nine, significantly increasing the IAF’s ability to maintain airborne surveillance coverage.
The use of refurbished ERJ-145 jets is linked to the aircraft’s production status. Since the platform is no longer manufactured, India has been looking toward available aircraft in the secondary market for conversion into military platforms.
The Netra Mk-1A expansion is also taking place alongside India’s larger Netra Mk-2 programme, which is being developed around the Airbus A321 platform. The Mk-2 is expected to provide a larger platform for enhanced sensors, greater endurance and more advanced mission equipment.
The six additional Netra Mk-1A aircraft would therefore strengthen India’s near-term airborne surveillance capability while the next-generation Mk-2 programme progresses.
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