The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

China's phenomenal surveillance capabilities are well known, including from space, through satellites and in the air. These capabilities, encompassing both scientific and military applications, include the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) for astronomical research and a growing network of satellites for earth observation, surveillance, and navigation. China operates three types of Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft (the KJ-200, the KJ-500 and the KJ-2000), which amplify its ability to detect, track and target threats in varying conditions, in larger volumes, and at greater distances – as reported in the Pentagon's 2024 report on China's Military Power.

China operates three types of Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft which amplify its ability to detect, track and target threats in varying conditions, in larger volumes, and at greater distances

In December 2024, China unveiled its KJ-3000, designed to detect aircraft and cruise missiles and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the operational environments in real time, after the emergence of two Chinese next-generation combat aircraft prototypes. The design of the KJ-3000 has a design based on the Y-20B transport aircraft. It is expected to have a rotodome that houses its radar antenna, which provides 360-degree coverage.

Pakistan, on the other hand, operates nine state-of-the-art Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&Cs, besides the four Chinese ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle AWACS. Given its size, Pakistan has the capability to carry out round-the-clock surveillance, a capability not present with India currently. The criticality of the AEW&C was felt during the aerial duel between India and Pakistan on February 27, 2019. Pakistan, which then had six Saab 2000, took advantage of IAF's changeover of the 'eye in the sky', when launching the attack.

Pakistan operates nine state-of-the-art Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&Cs, besides the four Chinese ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle AWACS

India presently operates three Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), which are integrated with the Russian IL-76 aircraft, as well as three AEW&C, of which one is operated by the Centre For Air Borne System (CABS), which comes under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). AEW&C systems are among the most critical components of modern military arsenals for enhanced situational awareness, command, control, and intelligence capabilities. Embraer aircraft are already in service with the IAF which is equipped with upgraded systems on board with Netra. Known as the 'eyes in the sky', the AEW&C can detect and track all flying objects, including incoming fighters, cruise missiles and drones, faster than ground-based radars. They can also act as an aerial control room for missions while also keeping track of ships out at sea.

But the Indian Air Force (IAF) can now look forward to plug these 'eye in the sky' capability gaps. On March 20, 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of six additional Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C), which would be an upgraded version of the current two in-service India-developed systems called the 'Netra'. The DAC approval for advanced AEW&C capabilities include the acquisition of six Mk-1A and six Mk-2 variants of the Netra new AEW&C aircraft. The Netra AEW&C, mounted on Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft has demonstrated its effectiveness in airborne surveillance. The DAC approval for improving the 'eye in the sky' capabilities of the IAF was part of the approval for capital acquisition proposals totalling over ₹54,000 crore; spanning across vital procurements for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, for enhancing India's defence infrastructure.

The IAF plans to induct six more Netra systems including Netra Mk1A, besides possible replacement for the two it currently operates

The IAF plans to induct six more Netra systems including Netra Mk1A, besides possible replacement for the two it currently operates. Also, there are plans to induct another six AEW&C systems being developed by the DRDO and to be mounted on Airbus A321 aircraft, which will be known as Netra Mk2. Six of these aircraft for Mk2 have been procured from Air India and are currently with the communications squadron of the IAF. These aircraft will be fitted with India made indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. While India's Netra currently has a range of about 200 km, the lL-76 based system has a range of 400 km and has a 360-degree coverage to a slightly lesser one for the former. It is understood that the Netra Mk 1A and the Mk2 will have much higher range and capabilities.

For the Indian Navy, the DAC has approved the acquisition of 'Varunastra' torpedoes, indigenously developed ship-launched anti-submarine weapons by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory

The IAF will greatly benefit from the acquisition of additional AEW&C aircraft systems as well as the plans to enhance its AEW&C systems further with the development of larger platforms and more advanced radar systems. For the Indian Army, the DAC has sanctioned the procurement of 1,350 horsepower (HP) engines, including indigenous efforts on the existing 1,000 HP engines in T-90 tanks. This enhancement aims to improve the tanks' battlefield mobility, particularly in high-altitude areas, by increasing their power-to-weight ratio; enhancing the Army's capacity to operate effectively across diverse terrains, ensuring readiness in both conventional and hybrid warfare scenarios. For the Indian Navy, the DAC has approved the acquisition of 'Varunastra' torpedoes, indigenously developed ship-launched anti-submarine weapons by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory.