To enhance their unmanned capabilities in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces have signed up for more satellite-linked Heron Mk II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles under emergency procurement, sources in the Israeli defence industry said.
According to the sources, the Army and Air Force, which already operate Heron Mk II drones, have placed additional orders while the Indian Navy is acquiring them for the first time. The Navy, which has long relied on Israeli-made Searcher UAVs for surveillance, will soon transition to the more advanced Heron Mk II platform.
How drones are the new face of warfare
As per existing guidelines, under emergency procurement, armed forces can procure weapons systems, including entire systems, worth up to ₹300 crore.
A senior Israel defence industry official, who was aware of the development, informed that UAVs have become central to modern warfare, with nearly 70% of battlefield operations conducted by drones across the spectrum, from frontline reconnaissance to deep-penetration missions. They play a decisive role against air defence systems, enabling detection, tracking and neutralisation of high-value threats.
