DRDO Offers To Equip Second Airbus C-295 With Netra Airborne Early Warning, Control System For Indian Air Force

In an offer to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has offered to equip an Airbus C-295 with the upgraded Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, reports Defence World.

On 26 February, during the air raids on Balakot, the IAF used Netra AEW&C for the first time ever in a combat. Its role was well recognised in the aftermath analyses of the attacks.

The tactical air lifter, C-295 will be manufactured in India through a joint venture of Tata and Airbus. Airbus C295 Netra on offer to IAF will have same two radiating planar arrays assembled back-to-back and mounted on top of the fuselage in an active antenna array unit (AAAU) that will provide 240° coverage with improved capabilities, Idrw.org reported.

Airbus also has an Airborne Early Warning version of C-295 which has a static radar dome to provide a 360 Degrees coverage which DRDO is also ready to offer as a by-product of AWACS INDIA if IAF wants in the package.

DRDO also plans to offer an Airbus C-295 variant for Maritime Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare missions to Indian Navy.