Airborne Early Warning and Control (Photo: IAF)
New Delhi: In a major step towards further strengthening India’s aerial surveillance and airspace management capabilities, the ministry of defence has intended to procure six Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, along with associated ground segment equipment and infrastructure, for the Indian Air Force.
The ministry issued a Request For Information (RFI) on January 5, 2026, aimed to plug critical gaps in airborne situational awareness amid growing security challenges along India’s northern and western frontiers.
As per the RFI, the AEW&C platform is envisioned as a “system of systems” designed to provide long-range radar detection and comprehensive battle management.
It will integrate advanced radar, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), electronic and communication support measures, command and control (C2), battle management systems, and secure data links to enable real-time networking across air and ground assets.
The aircraft must have a minimum endurance of 10 hours or be capable of mid-air refuelling, operate at a service ceiling of 45,000 feet, and be able to fly from high-altitude airfields located around 10,000 feet above sea level.
The mission suite must offer 360-degree coverage, with the ability to detect targets ranging from small, slow-moving objects to hypersonic vehicles, supported by satellite-based navigation, communications, and self-protection systems.
Potential platforms include Airbus A320 aircraft acquired from Air India for military conversion and Embraer Legacy jets, three of which have already been indigenously modified by DRDO into the ‘Netra’ AEW&C system.
What is the current IAF airborne surveillance strength?
DRDO is also developing more advanced Netra variants, featuring around 15 airborne sub-systems and multiple ground-based elements. Separately, DRDO has selected the Bombardier Global 6500 for its ISTAR programme.
Currently, the IAF operates five AEW&C aircraft—three Beriev A-50 AWACS and two Netra systems—far short of its projected requirement of 12. In contrast, China and Pakistan operate significantly larger AEW&C fleets, underscoring the strategic urgency behind India’s expansion plans.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee report last year noted that the IAF has already initiated two programmes of six AEW aircraft each and one for a special role aircraft.
