Archive · 2 Dec 2025
India Expands Heron MkII Drones to Navy
India is getting more Heron MkII drones from Israel to use in its Navy, Army, and Air Force.
These drones can fly for a long time and carry different sensors.
They are very useful for watching and gathering information.
India is also planning to make these drones locally in the future with partners like HAL and Elcom.
The drones have been successful in recent operations, so India wants more of them.
This is part of India's plan to make more defense equipment at home.
The drones can fly very high and fast, and India wants to make 60% of the parts locally.
India is procuring more Heron MkII drones from Israel under emergency provisions after Operation Sindoor.
All three branches of the Indian Armed Forces (Navy, Army, Air Force) have decided to purchase the Heron MkII.
Discussions are underway to manufacture the Heron MkII in India with partners like HAL and Elcom, aiming for 60% indigenous content.
The Heron MkII is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 kg, an endurance of up to 45 hours, a service ceiling of 35,000 ft, and a top speed of 150 knots.
India began procuring Heron MkII drones in 2021 under emergency powers following tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, and has been inducting more advanced systems equipped with satellite communication (SATCOM).
- Who
- Indian Armed Forces (Navy, Army, Air Force) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
- What
- Acquisition and potential local manufacturing of Heron MkII drones
- When
- December 2025 (procurement initiated post Operation Sindoor)
- Where
- India
- Why
- To enhance surveillance and operational capabilities, especially after the success of Operation Sindoor and tensions along the LAC with China
Pro-Indigenous Production
Pro-Continued Imports
Manufacturing in India
Pro-Indigenous Production
IAI is working with HAL and Elcom to manufacture Heron MkII drones in India, aiming for 60% indigenous content to meet local standards.
Pro-Continued Imports
Some may argue for continued imports to ensure immediate availability and reliability, especially during emergencies.
- Drone Model
- Heron MkII
- Maximum Takeoff Weight
- 1,430 kg
- Endurance
- Up to 45 hours
- Payload Capacity
- Up to 490 kg
- Manufacturer
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
- Indian Partners
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Elcom
- Operational Use
- Intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance
- Service Ceiling
- 35,000 ft
- Top Speed
- 150 knots
- Indigenous Content Target
- 60%
