A file picture of Heron Mk II UAV | Photograph Credit score: AFP
To boost their unmanned capabilities within the wake of Operation Sindoorthe Indian armed forces have signed up for extra satellite-linked Heron Mk II Unmanned Aerial Autos underneath emergency procurement, sources within the Israeli protection business stated.
Based on the sources, the Military and Air Drive, which already function Heron Mk II drones, have positioned extra orders whereas the Indian Navy is buying them for the primary time. The Navy, which has lengthy relied on Israeli-made Searcher UAVs for surveillance, will quickly transition to the extra superior Heron Mk II platform.
As per present tips, underneath emergency procurement, armed forces can procure weapons methods, together with complete methods, price as much as ₹300 crore.
A senior Israel protection business official, who was conscious of the event, knowledgeable that UAVs have turn out to be central to fashionable warfare, with practically 70% of battlefield operations performed by drones throughout the spectrum, from frontline reconnaissance to deep-penetration missions. They play a decisive function in opposition to air protection methods, enabling detection, monitoring and neutralization of high-value threats.
The Heron household, particularly the Heron Mk II, has emerged as a key element of this evolving fight setting attributable to its versatility and confirmed reliability. Indian Military has deployed these drones at ahead bases in northern sector.
The Heron Mk II is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV able to carrying near half a tonne of payload and sustaining greater than 24 hours of steady flight. Geared up with Artificial Aperture Radar (SAR), electro-optical methods, and SIGINT sensors, the platform offers complete ISR capabilities even in difficult climate situations. Its absolutely automated take-off and touchdown methods, coupled with encrypted satellite tv for pc communication, allow distant operations, versatile mission planning and deployment throughout different theaters with out ground-based line-of-sight management.
In keeping with India’s push for protection indigenisation, a number of Israel protection industries together with state-owned protection producers are working with protection PSUs and personal companions to reinforce native manufacturing. The businesses are additionally creating coaching, upkeep and integration capabilities inside India, the official stated.
Israeli producers are actively getting ready for future Indian tenders underneath the “Make in India” framework and exploring deeper partnerships to satisfy compliance necessities.
In September this yr, Ministry of Protection issued Request for Proposal (RFP) for main acquisition of 87 MALE drones, with a give attention to an indigenous “Make in India” program that additionally permits international partnerships.
Printed – December 02, 2025 02:03 am IST