Indian Army’s surveillance capabilities have received a big boost with the delivery of the advanced Israeli Heron drones, which have been purchased by the force under its emergency financial powers to keep an eye on Chinese PLA's activities in eastern Ladakh sector.

These drones are reportedly much more advanced than the Herons present in the current inventory. Moreover, their anti-jamming capability is also said to be much better in comparison to the previous versions.

“The advanced Heron drones have arrived in the country and are being deployed for surveillance operations in the eastern Ladakh sector,” a senior source from the government was quoted in a report by ANI.

These drones have been procured under the emergency financial powers granted by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi-led government to the armed forces.

Accordingly, the defence forces can now purchase equipment and systems amounting to Rs 500 crore in order to augment their warfighting capabilities.

Using this provision, the Indian Navy has also leased a couple of Predator drones from the American firm General Atomics whereas the Air Force has acquired several long-range precision-guided artillery shells, anti-tank guided missiles, the Hammer air to ground standoff missiles amongst other equipment.

The defence forces have been working proactively to procure drones in the wake of the ongoing heightened tensions with China across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).