After the upgrades, the air force would be capable of operating these aircraft from far-off distances and control them through satellite communication system.
The army also operates a sizable number of UAVs and has deployed them in borders along the western and eastern fronts.
The army was the first to induct UAVs in the 90s starting with Searcher Mark I and Searcher Mark II which could operate at an altitude of 15,000 feet and finally the Heron, which can operate at 30,000 feet.
Army's Northern Command had recently issued a global tender for procuring latest miniature unmanned aerial vehicles for gathering intelligence and carrying out reconnaissance of areas along Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and Sino-India border.
The Navy has also three operational squadrons of the Israeli UAVs deployed along both the eastern and the western sea boards.
Updated on: December 29, 2013 17:31 IST
