Nishant is one of the few UAVs in the world in its weight-class capable of being catapult launched and recovered by using parachute, thus eliminating the need for a runway as in case of conventional take-off and landing with wheels, a DRDO release said in Bangalore on Friday.
Till now, India has been importing Israeli-made 'Heron' medium and high altitude series of UAVs for the three services, which are using them extensively for surveillance operations in Jammu and Kashmir and certain other strategic areas.
UAVs are an intrinsic part of today's technology driven battlefield. Indians don't seem to be taking the challenge with the degree of urgency that is required, says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).
'An armed helicopter equipped with counter-drone systems will provide the airborne counter-drone capability and flexibility needed to protect India's critical assets.'
The army confirmed that they will buy 12 Nishant Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for reconnaissance and surveillance operations, a top Defence Research and Development Organisation official said on Friday.