The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to begin the process of acquiring six more Embraer ERJ145I Netra radar surveillance aircraft to fulfil their requirements. Three of these planes, quite similar to the E-99s used by the Brazilian Air Force, are flying with the IAF. These aeroplanes are outfitted with some components that are indigenous to India.
The IAF believes that these compact AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, developed from the regional ERJ145 airliner, are the most appropriate solution for their requirements. Furthermore, the future acquisition of these six aircraft hints at increased activity for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian agency responsible for integrating systems. These systems include the well-known active electronically scanned array radar added to the aircraft, differentiating the Embraer E-99 from the ERJ145I Netra. Other specialised equipment, such as communication with aircraft from Dassault Aviation Rafale EH/DH and Sukhoi Su-30MKI, enhance the system’s local capabilities.
According to sources quoted in the Economic Times, the Air Force plans to buy six more planes as part of a $1 billion plan.
This additional procurement of six ERJ145I Netra aircraft is intended to serve as a stopgap in the eyes of the senior leadership of the IAF. At the same time, the DRDO works on developing the A321I Netra 2 aircraft. This far more ambitious aircraft is now being created using Airbus A321 airliners removed from service with Air India following the catastrophe caused by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the next five years, it is anticipated that this twin-engine aircraft, which owes a great deal to the ERJ145I, would replace the three Beriev A-50EI Mainstay aircraft manufactured in Russia and equipped with Israeli Phalcon kit. The Indian Air Force intends to purchase six A321I Netra 2 aircraft in the near future.
The Indian Air Force plans to catch up in airborne tracking and, by extension, protect its airspace by the decade’s end. It is important to note that India continues to lessen its dependency on Russian aircraft. The A321I and ERJ145I are anticipated to be able to operate independently of the A-50EI shortly. Before the end of the calendar year 2023, the leadership of the IAF hopes to achieve a consensus with Embraer and the Indian government about purchasing the jets.
