India’s Big Leap in Aerospace Defence: Govt Approves ₹20,000 Crore AWACS Project to Strengthen Aerial Surveillance

In a major push to elevate India’s defense preparedness and achieve technological self-reliance, the Government of India has approved a massive ₹20,000 crore project to convert six Airbus A321 aircraft into state-of-the-art Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) platforms. This strategic initiative, led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with the Indian Air Force (IAF), marks a significant milestone in the nation’s journey toward indigenous military capability development.

Known as the Netra MkII, the Awacs India programme is led by DRDO | Money Control

The Transformation of Civilian Jets into Airborne Sentinels

The six aircraft slated for transformation are ex-Air India Airbus A321 jets, currently held by the IAF’s Communications Squadron. These commercial jets will undergo extensive structural and technological modifications to become high-end airborne surveillance systems. The process involves stripping the aircraft interiors, reinforcing the fuselage, integrating military-grade avionics, and most importantly, mounting a radar dome equipped with indigenously developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars.

Once completed, these aircraft will be rechristened as the Netra Mk-II AWACS, a far more advanced version of the earlier Netra Mk-I system that is mounted on Embraer EMB-145 jets. Unlike their smaller predecessors, these Airbus-based platforms will offer 360-degree radar coverage, significantly greater endurance, and higher altitude surveillance, making them capable of tracking threats deep inside enemy territory.

Indigenous Technology with Global Ambitions

This program is a shining example of the “Make in India” initiative in the defense sector. DRDO will not only develop the radar system but will also oversee much of the system integration in collaboration with Indian private and public sector firms such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Adani Defence & Aerospace. The primary radar system is expected to be based on DRDO's expertise in AESA technology, which has matured through previous indigenous programs.

While Airbus may play a role in assisting with structural modifications, the majority of the work will be done in India, which marks a strategic shift from dependence on foreign AWACS systems to domestically engineered alternatives. This shift is also aligned with India’s broader defense vision of becoming an exporter of advanced military technology.

Strategic Significance in a Hostile Neighborhood

India currently operates three Israeli Phalcon AWACS mounted on Russian IL-76 aircraft and two Netra Mk-I platforms. However, these numbers fall short when compared to neighboring China and Pakistan, both of which operate more advanced and numerous airborne surveillance systems. China's KJ series AWACS and Pakistan’s Saab 2000 Erieye platforms pose a significant strategic challenge in terms of air dominance and early warning capabilities.

With the induction of the new Airbus-based AWACS, India will bridge this critical gap. These systems will act as aerial command centers, capable of tracking enemy aircraft, drones, ballistic missiles, and troop movements over a vast area. In modern warfare, such systems are crucial not just for defensive purposes but also for enabling deep strike capabilities and maintaining air superiority in any conflict scenario.

Modern Battlefield Integration and Future Potential

The Netra Mk-II aircraft are expected to be equipped with more than just radar systems. They will include electronic intelligence (ELINT), communications intelligence (COMINT), and battlefield management systems. These will allow real-time coordination between aircraft, drones, and ground command units. Furthermore, the platforms are likely to support in-flight refueling and satellite communication (SATCOM), extending their operational range and endurance.

India’s investment in this domain also opens up potential opportunities for the future. Once the Airbus A321-based AWACS prove their capability, DRDO may look toward developing even larger and more powerful systems, perhaps based on Airbus A330 or similar wide-body aircraft platforms. Moreover, successful operationalization could pave the way for export possibilities to friendly nations, placing India in a select club of nations capable of producing high-end surveillance aircraft.

A Message of Strategic Intent

This project sends a strong message to India’s adversaries. The capability to maintain continuous airborne surveillance and intercept hostile movements in real time grants a significant advantage to the Indian military. With tensions continuing to simmer along the borders with China and Pakistan, the timing of this approval reflects a proactive strategic posture.

Moreover, this is not just a defense project—it is a national achievement. By moving closer to self-sufficiency in such high-end technology, India not only secures its skies but also signals to the world its rising position as a technological and military power.

Conclusion

The ₹20,000 crore AWACS program is not merely a defense procurement—it is a transformative step toward India’s long-term military modernization and technological self-reliance. By converting six Airbus A321 aircraft into indigenous flying radar stations, India is expanding its strategic reach, modernizing its force posture, and reducing its dependency on foreign equipment. The collaboration between DRDO, IAF, HAL, and Indian industry partners marks a successful integration of public and private expertise, fulfilling the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the true sense.

As these aircraft take to the skies in the coming years, they will not only monitor threats but will also serve as symbols of India’s evolving defense capabilities—crafted not in foreign factories, but developed, designed, and deployed from Indian soil.

(Sources: OpIndia, Money Control, India.com)