India Will Lobby Israel For the Production of Heron MK II Drones in India

India Will Lobby Israel For the Production of Heron MK II Drones in India

New Delhi - India will lobby Israel to produce Heron MK II drones in India. This is a follow-up to India's planned acquisition of 10 Heron MK II drones from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Deal talks are currently underway to boost Heron production locally, write Indian media. India is also in negotiations to arm its existing fleet of Searcher drones and Heron drones.

Janes reported from the DefExpo 2022 event in Gujarat, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army (IA) ordered 10 Heron MK II drones from IAI in early 2021. The procurement of the drones was carried out under the emergency procurement powers granted to the Indian Armed Forces following the PLA's incursions across the LAC into Indian-claimed territory from February 2020.

Original plans for India were reportedly to lease the Heron MK II drone for three years, but a decision was made to buy it outright.

The Heron MK II is an upgraded variant of the Heron drone. The Heron drone was previously owned by the IA and IAF. Equipped with a Rotax 916 iS engine, the Heron MK II can reach a flight altitude of 35,000 feet.

For maximum speed is at 140 knots. This drone can fly for 45 hours. Heron MK II has a wider and stronger body structure.