BENGALURU: The indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Management (AEW&C) system — Netra — on Thursday achieved Last Operational Clearance (FOC), marking a milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen airborne surveillance, battle administration and network-centric warfare capabilities via homegrown expertise.The FOC was formally handed over to the IAF throughout a ceremony in Bengaluru attended by senior serving and retired army officers, DRDO scientists and trade companions related to the programme.Declaring the achievement a landmark second for India’s defence ecosystem, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Employees, stated the clearance represented way over the completion of a expertise programme.“It’s a proud second to declare AEW&C’s Last Operational Clearance. This isn’t merely the fruits of an indigenous expertise programme, however a celebration of the distinctive partnership between the IAF and the scientific neighborhood in fulfilling India’s quest for Atmanirbharta,” he stated.Bharti famous that the journey from idea to operational functionality concerned important technological challenges, innovation and perseverance. He highlighted that the IAF was deeply concerned all through the programme, taking part in design, growth, integration, testing and operationalisation reasonably than functioning solely as the top person.“Maybe the best testimony to the religion that the IAF had on this indigenous programme was our determination to induct the platform operationally even earlier than the ultimate operational clearance,” he stated.The Deputy Air Chief additionally pressured on the operational utility of the platform, citing its efficiency throughout the Balakot air strikes and Operation Sindoor. He stated indigenous methods present the armed forces the pliability to quickly adapt to evolving battlefield necessities via modifications and upgrades.Developed by DRDO, led by the Centre for Airborne Methods (CABS), the Netra AEW&C programme is amongst India’s most advanced airborne surveillance tasks. Mounted on an Embraer plane platform, the system considerably enhances the Air Drive’s capability to detect, monitor and handle aerial threats over massive areas.In a video message, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Built-in Defence Employees, stated the achievement assumes better significance amid a quickly altering geopolitical surroundings. Recalling the programme’s journey since receiving approval from the Cupboard Committee on Safety in Oct 2004, he praised the collaboration amongst DRDO, the IAF, certification companies and trade companions.Dixit additionally welcomed the deliberate growth of the Netra programme via the induction of six further plane, expressing confidence that future tasks would replicate the success of the indigenous airborne early warning system.DRDO officers described the FOC as each a technological and strategic milestone that strengthens India’s self-reliance in superior aerospace and defence applied sciences whereas enhancing the nation’s airborne command-and-control capabilities.
