New Delhi: With focus on upgrading domestic defence industry and reduce dependency on foreign technology, the government in recent years has either curtailed or cancelled several major import deals in order to take forward the ‘Make in India’ campaign in the defence sector. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is now planning to pursue its ‘Project Cheetah’ under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Under the ambitious Project Cheetah, the Indian Air Force is looking to upgrade its existing fleet of Israel-made Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) drones with better communication facilities and missiles which can target enemy positions from long range. Under this project, Indian defence manufacturers will equip Israeli Heron drones with indigenous strike capabilities.
Leading the Project Cheetah, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to take this project forward by developing its own drones through Indian defence firms. Apart from UAVs or drones with the IAF, the project also aims to upgrade Israeli drones in the Indian Navy and the Indian Army with better strike and surveillance capabilities. These drones are to be equipped with lethal missiles and laser-guided bombs. Earlier, Israeli arms manufacturers had been earmarked for this project.
The Israeli Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is a medium-altitude UAV and can carry up to 250 kg of weight, including a thermographic camera, airborne ground surveillance, visible light, radar systems, etc. The Heron UAV is capable of returning to base autonomously in case of lost communication. Heron drones of the three services, the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Army, and the Indian Navy will be upgraded to be armed with laser-guided bombs, air-to-ground, and air-launched anti-tank guided missiles. This project is in the last stage of decision-making.
The Indian armed forces have been dependent on IAF Israel-made Searcher II and Heron UAVs for reconnaissance and espionage purposes for long time. After being revamped under ‘Project Cheetah’, the Heron will allow the Indian armed forces to get accurate intelligence inputs regarding enemy forces. Apart from this, they will also be made capable of targeting enemy positions from a long distance. Developing Israeli drones will also enable ground stations to remotely operate these drones and control them through satellite communication systems.
