Army Deploys Drones Near Eastern Ladakh, Sikkim To Monitor Chinese Military Actions

The Indian security forces have deployed new drones along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the eastern Ladakh and Sikkim sectors. The drones are being used to closely monitor increased Chinese military activity along the border.

In the respective areas, new drone squadrons with advanced unmanned aerial vehicles capable of carrying out surveillance missions lasting up to two days have been deployed. While one squadron is stationed near the Eastern Ladakh sector, the other is stationed near the Assam-West Bengal border to monitor the Sikkim sector, according to the person with developments. 

The drones acquired for these two squadrons are far more advanced than the defence forces’ existing capabilities and can monitor a larger area, they claim. 

According to sources, the Indian forces have acquired these drones with satellite communication links and sensors that are far more advanced than their current inventory.

Indian forces have been keeping a close eye on Chinese military activities across the LAC, from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh and have increased their capabilities significantly following the Chinese unilateral aggression in Eastern Ladakh beginning in the Galwan area in 2020. The new drones do not have strike capabilities, but they can be upgraded to meet those requirements, sources said.

India is also working on the ambitious Project Cheetah, in which the security forces intend to upgrade their existing fleet of Israeli-origin Heron with improved communication capabilities and long-range missiles capable of targeting enemy positions.

According to plans, the project would be completed with Israeli weapon manufacturers, with Indian firms taking the lead. The IAF is the project's primary leader and Israeli drones in the Navy and Army are also being upgraded with strike capabilities and improved surveillance and reconnaissance pods.