The Indian Air Force (IAF) has introduced its newest Heron Mark 2 drones, which have strike capabilities and can conduct border surveillance along both China’s and Pakistan’s borders in a single sortie.
The Indian Air Force now has a long-desired capability thanks to drones with satellite communication capabilities, which can operate over great distances for over 36 hours at a time and laser illuminate enemy targets from great distances to aid fighter aircraft in taking them down.
“A powerful drone is the Heron Mark 2. This has ‘beyond line of sight’ capability and can run for longer periods of time. With this, the entire nation can be monitored from a single location,” the commanding officer of the drone squadron, Wing Commander Pankaj Rana, told the media.
He claimed that the greater endurance also makes it possible to fly many flights and cover multiple sectors in a single mission.
“The drone simply integrates into the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system,” Rana said.
Rana emphasised the drone’s main strength, which is its ability to conduct continuous target monitoring. The operational ceilings of the aircraft have grown because to modern avionics and engines.
He said that the drone could carry out its task and reach its targets regardless of the weather or the terrain.
“The drone can cover both enemies while flying from here in just one sortie,” Rana said.
According to defence authorities, work is being done to weaponize the drones, which can be loaded with weapons.
The original equipment manufacturers can equip the drones with air-to-ground missiles, air-to-ground anti-tank weaponry, and explosives, among other sorts of weapons.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is also working on Project Cheetah, which aims to update about 70 Heron drones used by the Indian Armed Forces with satellite communication links and arm them with weapons to suit military demands.
Additionally, 31 Predator drones, which belong to the high altitude, long endurance category and are currently assisting the Navy in covering sizable portions of the Indian Ocean region, are being provided to the Indian armed forces.
India is getting a drone that can carry weapons and has sensors for a variety of uses in a variety of environments.
The Indian Navy will control fifteen of these drones, while the other two forces will receive eight each.
