India is set to expand its fleet of Israeli-origin Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) following their proven performance during Operation Sindoor earlier this year. The drones, extensively used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions against Pakistan, are now being upgraded with strike capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence is fast-tracking the procurement of additional Heron drones while integrating Spike-NLOS (non-line-of-sight) anti-tank guided missiles. This will transform Herons from passive surveillance platforms into armed systems capable of precision strikes against hostile targets beyond visual range.
At present, all three services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—operate Heron UAVs along the Chinese and Pakistani frontiers, while intelligence agencies employ them for specialised monitoring operations. Their effectiveness has also pushed forward Project Cheetah, an initiative to upgrade existing Herons with advanced sensors, electronic intelligence payloads, and strike capability.
The Indian Air Force has already begun inducting the upgraded Heron Mk2 variant, which comes equipped with satellite communication (SATCOM) systems, extending endurance and range for deep-penetration missions.
Parallelly, India is pursuing an indigenous programme to acquire 87 medium altitude long endurance (MALE) drones through a competitive process involving domestic defence majors such as HAL, Larsen & Toubro, Adani Defence, and Solar Industries. Many are expected to collaborate with Israeli manufacturers to accelerate production.
The armed forces estimate a long-term requirement of nearly 400 MALE-class drones over the next 15 years to bolster persistent ISR coverage and enhance unmanned strike capabilities.
This dual-track procurement—weaponised Herons from Israel alongside indigenous MALE drones—marks a significant step in India’s drive toward self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, while ensuring future-ready unmanned warfare capabilities against regional adversaries.
