Keeping An Eye On Enemy Movement: India Inducts Four Israeli Heron Mk2 Drones On Forward Air Bases In J&K

In a significant stride towards enhancing its surveillance capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully inducted four Heron Mark-2 drones on a forward airbase at Northern Sector, reported ANI.

These cutting-edge drones have the ability to conduct surveillance along both the China and Pakistan borders in a single sortie, presenting a substantial leap in the IAF's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

These drones have the potential to be armed, but currently are not equipped with weapons.

According to the report, these drones will be subsequently armed with weapons and missiles under 'Project Cheetah' which entails arming all drones in Indian inventory, with missiles and bombs.

The four new Heron Mark-2 drones have been strategically stationed at a forward air base in the northern sector.

The Heron Mark-2 comes equipped with satellite communication abilities, which allows the drone to be operated from long ranges. They are capable of undertaking extended missions, with an endurance of nearly 36 hours per sortie.

Additionally, their laser designation capabilities enable them to mark enemy targets from long distances, enabling precision-targeting by fighter aircraft employing long-range weaponry.

Wing Commander Pankaj Rana, the commanding officer of the drone squadron, named 'Warden of the North', talked about the Heron Mark-2's capabilities.

He highlighted the drone's exceptional endurance and "beyond line of sight" capability, allowing for comprehensive surveillance coverage across the entire nation from a single location.

Rana emphasised that the drones seamlessly integrate into the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance matrix of the Indian Air Force.

Furthermore, Rana underscored the drone's ability to undertake multiple missions and address diverse sectors within a single sortie due to its extended endurance.

Heron Mark-2 drones could also operate in sub-zero temperatures of India's northern border, opposite both China and Pakistan, enhancing IAF's operational flexibility.

The Indian Armed Forces are also set to receive 31 MQ-9B sky and sea guardian armed-drones, designed for high-altitude, long-endurance operations from the United States.

Out of the 31 drones, 15 will be operated by the Indian Navy, while the remaining sixteen will be distributed to the other two branches of the armed forces.

The Indian Navy already operates two MQ-9B sea guardian drones on lease for surveilling the Indian Ocean Region, which were acquired after India-China clash in Galwan in June 2020.