The Indian Armed Forces have ordered more satellite-linked Heron Mk II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from Israel under emergency procurement. The Army and Air Force, already using these drones, placed additional orders. The Indian Navy is buying the Heron Mk II for the first time, moving away from older Israeli Searcher UAVs. Under current guidelines, emergency procurement allows the forces to buy equipment worth up to ₹300 crore quickly. A senior official from the Israeli defense industry said drones now carry out nearly 70% of battlefield missions, from reconnaissance to deep strikes. They are vital for detecting and neutralising high-value threats. The Heron Mk II is praised for its versatility and reliability. It can fly for over 24 hours carrying close to half a tonne of payload. Equipped with advanced radar, electro-optical and SIGINT sensors, it works well even in tough weather. The drone has automatic take-off and landing and uses encrypted satellite communication for remote control, enabling flexible missions without ground control. India is pushing for defense indigenisation. Israeli companies are partnering with Indian public and private firms to increase local production and build training and maintenance capabilities. They are also preparing for future Indian tenders under the “Make in India” policy. In September 2025, India's Ministry of Defence issued a Request for Proposal for 87 medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones, encouraging local manufacturing and foreign partnerships.