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India approved the acquisition of 97 indigenous Tejas fighter jets and six AEW&C aircraft under a ₹85,500 crore package. These purchases will bolster strike and interception capabilities and enhance airspace monitoring.
India’s vast borders and complex terrain leave gaps in ground-based radar coverage, especially over the Himalayas and Indian Ocean. Coordinated real-time data sharing between China and Pakistan further blurs threat lines, demanding persistent airborne surveillance capable of detecting, tracking, and relaying fused intelligence across multiple commands.
AEW&C platforms extend detection range by hundreds of kilometres, intercept electronic emissions, and identify low-observable threats. They coordinate fighter sorties, missile launches, and aerial refuelling, centralizing situational awareness and enabling rapid decisions. By consolidating sensor data, these assets shift Indian air defences from reactive postures to proactive deterrence against networked adversaries.
India’s six AEW&C jets include three Netra Mark-1 planes on Embraer-145 airframes, using indigenous 240-degree AESA radars, and three IL-76 transports equipped with Israeli Phalcon EL/W-2090 radars for full 360-degree coverage and electronic intelligence. This mixed fleet highlights the need for a standardized, expanded AEW&C capability.
In August 2025, India approved a ₹85,500 crore deal comprising 97 Tejas fighters and six AEW&C aircraft. The AEW&C segment, costing ₹19,000 crore, will convert Airbus A321s acquired from Air India. These jets will undergo structural reinforcement and systems integration in Spain, where AESA radars, signal-intelligence suites, and nose-mounted antennas will be fitted for 300-degree coverage.
Extensive A321 modifications have raised costs by ₹7,000 crore, reflecting complex airframe and sensor integration. All six platforms are slated for delivery by 2033–34. To maintain coverage in the interim, the Defence Ministry approved six upgraded Netra Mark-1A AEW&C jets on Embraer-145, featuring enhanced AESA radars, faster data fusion, Link-16, and improved self-protection systems.
Integrating the new A321-based AEW&C fleet will involve extensive airworthiness certification, software harmonisation across disparate subsystems, and comprehensive training for crews. Once operational, these platforms will enhance interoperability compared to the current mixed fleet. Looking ahead, India aims to explore indigenous AEW&C solutions on future transport or regional jets, unmanned airborne sensors, and integration with space-based and ground networks to build a resilient, multi-domain surveillance architecture.
