DRDO inaugurates NETRA-2026 seminar focusing on Electronic Warfare and Digital Twin technology

Key Facts

• Event: NETRA-2026 National Seminar
• Dates: 11–12 August 2026, followed by a hands-on workshop on 13 August 2026
• Location: Bengaluru, India
• Organizers: DRDO in association with the Association of Old Crows India Chapter and industry partners including Infinipoint, MathWorks, Ansys, Keysight, and Synopsys
• Participants: Over 200 delegates from Indian Armed Forces, DRDO, ISRO, defence PSUs, academia, and industry
• Inaugurated by: Dr. B.K. Das, Director General (Electronics and Communication Systems), DRDO
• Guest of Honour: Mr. Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• Focus Areas: Electronic Warfare (EW), Digital Twin technology, Artificial Intelligence, Radar, Radio Frequency (RF) Systems, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Design, and Mission Critical System Design

Background & Context

Electronic Warfare is the military application of electromagnetic spectrum use for detection, protection, disruption, and deception of adversary systems. It encompasses electronic support, electronic attack, and electronic protection—integral to modern defence strategies. Digital Twin technology involves creating virtual replicas of physical systems to enable simulation, testing, monitoring, and accelerated system development. Mission Critical System Design focuses on engineering systems where failure can cause significant operational impact, crucial in defence, aviation, and communication sectors. The Association of Old Crows is an international professional body specializing in electronic warfare and related information operations, and Bharat Electronics Limited is a major Indian public sector undertaking engaged in defence electronics manufacturing.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This seminar highlights contemporary developments in India's defence technology landscape, particularly the strategic emphasis on electromagnetic spectrum dominance and integration of advanced digital technologies for future warfare. Understanding such initiatives is important for competitive exams covering current affairs, defence technology, and national security. Details such as the role of DRDO, significance of electronic warfare, digital twins, mission critical systems, key organizational players, and defence sector collaborations are valuable knowledge points.

Points to Remember

• NETRA-2026 was held on 11–12 August 2026 in Bengaluru, organized by DRDO and the Association of Old Crows India Chapter with industry partners.
• Dr. B.K. Das, DG (ECS) at DRDO, inaugurated the seminar, emphasizing the transformation of warfare towards electronic warfare and asymmetric, saturation attacks.
• More than 200 participants from defence forces, DRDO, ISRO, PSUs, academia, and industry attended.
• Technological focus included Electronic Warfare, Digital Twin, AI, Radar, RF systems, FPGA design, and Mission Critical System Design.
• Dr. Das highlighted the need for layered defence architecture combining missiles, radars, directed-energy weapons, drones, and electronic warfare systems.
• Digital twin and model-based systems engineering were stressed as key to future rapid development and testing of defence systems.